Caesar Augustus (?) Denarius - should I keep this in a safe place?

Discussion in 'What's it Worth' started by OakTree, Mar 23, 2021.

  1. OakTree

    OakTree New Member

    A few weeks ago I spontaneously bid and then surprisingly won five Roman coins on Ebay (I genuinely didn't think my $29 bid would be enough). The seller wasn't a coin expert and didn't know who the emperors were. I'm no expert either and it took me a week of googling to work out how to even research a Roman coin. I'm now sort of hooked on the detective work involved.

    This was the last coin I researched and the most tricky as the legends are barely decipherable. I think this particular coin is Caesar Augustus based on his hair, nose and the depiction on the back. I've been able to decipher the letters SPQR above the chariot, and the second and forth horse from the left appear to be looking behind.

    I'm aware that a hole greatly reduces the value, but I never bought them for profit, so that doesn't concern me. I saw a similar coin without a hole sell and in better condition sell for $1,400. This begs the question, should I be keeping this coin in a safe place?

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  3. philologus_1

    philologus_1 Supporter! Supporter

    Very cool find! It is rare. But rare is not always synonymous with valuable. Here is an example in much better condition which sold for $288 last year:
    https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=6724201

    So, no, you won't need to keep it in an especially safe place. However, be sure to keep it! In all likelihood you would not be able to replace it for the bargain price you paid for it. Congrats!

    A coin of a specific type that is in nice condition (little wear, well-centered, nice surfaces, good metal, easily readable complete legends, and without any blemish/nick/cut/hole/etc.) can bring 10X or even 20X the price of an example of the same exact type in lesser shape.
     
  4. OakTree

    OakTree New Member

    Much appreciate the reply and link. Totally understand the loss in value due to its condition. But as you say, well worth keeping and a good start to the collection.
     
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  5. manny9655

    manny9655 Well-Known Member

    Nice! Can you post photos of the others? I'll bet the others on this forum would love to see them! And welcome to Coin Talk!
     
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  6. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    That's just about the luck of a lifetime. My best was getting this rare and semi-expenisve Commodus denarius in a 100-coin junk lost for an average cost of 81 cents
    IMG_E7044 (2020_11_18 03_38_31 UTC).JPG
     
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  7. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    Welcome to the forum. Just wanted to briefly comment on keeping your coin safe..... Coins are prime targets for thieves. I have heard to many horror stories of well intentioned folks posting about their coin on Facebook only to have a burglary shortly thereafter...... Yes, keep your coin safe and also keep it quiet.
     
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  8. OakTree

    OakTree New Member

    For sure! The others were pretty much all in the 200AD period. Feel free to correct me if I've selected the wrong emperor per coin. I'm still learning the ropes.

    Elagabalus.

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    Aemilianus.

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    Valerian I

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    Postumus

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    And a random Danish coin that the Ebay seller threw in for free.

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  9. OakTree

    OakTree New Member

    What a steal!
     
  10. OakTree

    OakTree New Member

    That's a fair point. Cheers for the advice.
     
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  11. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    Are you freaking kidding me.

    The Aemilian is an easy 3-figure coin. All told, you've got over $1k worth of coins for $29. That's criminal, and IM VERY JEALOUS
     
  12. OakTree

    OakTree New Member

    Really? That's crazy! I didn't actually try and find the value of those as I got distracted by the Caesar Augustus coin. Guess I should find a safe space and casement for them then...
     
  13. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    Augustus: $150-200
    Elagabalus: $50-75
    Aemilian: $300
    Valerian: $40
    Postumus: $40
    Danish: $10????

    Maybe not a grand, but high three-digits.
     
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  14. OakTree

    OakTree New Member

    Thanks for the estimate! That's really helpful and gives a decent idea of what they're worth. I presume Aemilian is worth more due to his brief reign? The history alone of each of these guys is fascinating.
     
  15. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    Aemilian is just ridiculously rare, especially in that condition. Brief reign doesn't always lead to higher price; Diadumenian only reigned for a year and his coins are relatively affordable.

    Anyways, you got an incredibly criminal deal. I hate you and love your situation at the same time. LOL
     
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  16. OakTree

    OakTree New Member

    Haha thanks mate! Hopefully my fiancé will be more forgiving now from my impulse buy.
     
  17. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    Haha, but don't count on it. More often than not, you don't make money in this business...

    I've been able to keep my overall OOP costs for my entire ancient collection around $500 due to selective buying and selling, but hitting the lottery is quite literally, a once in a lifetime occurrence.

    If you have no interest in any of your coins, you could sell them all for a tidy profit. Or, you could keep the ones you like and use the proceeds to expand the collection.

    However, don't get used to deals like this; most people who sell ancient coins have at least a modicum of knowledge; you can only get these deals from the egregiously ignorant.

    As an example of a once in a lifetime "lottery win:"

    5 years ago I found 50 silver dimes in a Coinstar reject slot. Since then, I've found exactly zero silver coins of any sort in any Coinstar, in any location.

    Some events are truly lottery-level.
     
  18. OakTree

    OakTree New Member


    I agree that this was a once in a blue moon buy. To be honest, I suspect I only got that price because the Ebay seller had zero interest in coins as he was more focused on selling prints.
    I'm happy with this little collection and probably won't expand beyond these five coins. Maybe I'll even sell some of them one day.
    As for your silver dime find, what a score!!!
     
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