Assessing the entire coin

I always prefer a good reverse to the portrait.

Despite the horrendous surface on the obverse, I was willing to overlook it in favor of a reverse I really wanted, and paid quite a lot regardless of the major flaw ($52)

 

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This is such a strikingly artistic and beautiful coin that when I first saw it in the Triton auction I considered bidding on it, despite the fact that it has no connection whatsoever to the theme of coins that I currently collect. I was further tempted by the mythical creature on the reverse, as well as the quality of the strike. Truly, I didn't even notice the obverse flaw, and I still have to look for it specifically in order to be aware of it. I knew it wouldn't hammer for anywhere close to its estimate.

I'm glad I didn't go after it -- it's a much better fit in your collection. Congratulations on a stunning work of art!

 

I think the awesomeness of Joes coin made such an impact on the board that it crashed. Perhaps Pan had a trick up his golden sleeve, and wanted us to spend some time listening to music instead of talking about coins.

 

If I was to worry about a scratch like that I would probably have to say that about 90% of my coins I should not have in my collection. Such a beautiful coin you have , the scratch would have never ever put it in a category as to not wanting it in my collection. But then again I could never afford a coin like that.

 

I think its a fabulous coin/ the mark is hardly noticeable. Also agree with all others, that yours is way more beautifull Your photo is also superior.
I collect all periods, including 19th/18th centuries, where one finds "Ajustment marks". I can live with that, minor marks/ clipping/ crude strikes. However, I stay away from "holed"/ harshly cleaned/ smoothed/ removed from mount/ polished sort of defects.
Here is a coin from Basel/ 1653
The reverse show characteristic poor strike due to bad reverse dies. Second is a Double Souverain d'or 1747 Anterpen Mint/ struck for the Austrian Netherlands/ Brabant/ Empress Maria Theresia note> obverse die had cracks. Mint error.

 

Thanks! I think we have similar tastes, and share those tastes with "de Guermantes"/Jean Vinchon: you made a similar comment about my Kyrene stater in the past and both the Kyrene and this Pantikapaion were part of the de Guermantes collection. A time machine back to 2003 would be enough for me as I'd like to buy half of the collection!

 

Your di-nomos is an incredible piece, especially with the reverse signature. I had a similar coin a few years ago but doubted its authenticity and returned it: yours looks perfectly real and is a superb coin!

 

Alas, no - just a case of "buy one, get one free" (so to speak). Had I tried more aggressively on the 2019 example, I would have tied up funds which have since found their way into other coins. There's always something else coming around the corner!

 

This is a fair observation and a sentiment which I assume some others would share as well. In the two times this coin has sold recently, it was correctly cataloged as having a scratch. NGC would certainly holder it with a scratch as well. But, that's not a deal-breaker for me in this case; sometimes it's just necessary to overlook problems for specific types. It might mean that some "investors" aren't interested in the coin but if they know what they're looking at, they should be able to look past it.

 

That is a great excuse for buying an expensive coin. I guess your wife fell for it

 

I agree. I was lucky that a dealer bought it for stock in 2016 and decided to sell it this year and that the 2019 buyer (one of the well-heeled recent entrants to Greek collecting) already bought his. I'd have bid on it in 2016 but I was trying for a lot later in the sale and couldn't afford to buy both (being able to re-sequence lots in auctions based on personal desires would be ideal: take note, catalogers!)

Your point on other coins having sold privately is something that everyone should read as well. X known examples means "publicly known": many coins have found their way into destination collections over the decades. There isn't a census and records from dealers are spotty/non-existent.

And, there is undoubtedly some collection somewhere which has hundreds of coins each better than anyone has ever seen locked away in some family's vault for the last 150 years that everyone forgot they owned.

 

The Pantikapaion stater is breathtaking. I could see myself looking at that coin all evening with a nice glas of wine.

 

I too was worried that it was the "megabyte that broke the server's back". I'm glad we're up and usable again!

 

Many congratulations with such a great accuision!
I think this is a lucky purchase, because I have in mind that a hummer will be something around $300 000 due to Grand Duke provenance, which is very popular in Russia. This is a fantastic purchase with a combination of rare type of pupular gold coin, overall condition and superb provenance! With such an advantages scratches becomes almost invisible

 

Very important point too many people miss. My gosh, ancient coins are kind of the definition of long held collectibles. I am sure there are many European families with ancient coin holdings going back many generations. It is a family asset, one not to be disposed by current generations. I never trust what catalogers say in this regard. Even the most reputable you must remember are only there to sell the coin. WHat they say may be the truth, only X known, but they leave out "right now" which they surely must be aware of. Yes, it can be a rare coin, but never bet on the fact that X known is the same as X in existence.

 

Thankyou Joe. Appreciate you saying that. And coming from someone with your experience and a collection as incredible as yours, it means a lot!