A Wonderful Day!

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by kirispupis, Sep 22, 2021.

  1. kirispupis

    kirispupis Well-Known Member

    Things have been a bit stressful around here. I won't go into the gory details, but I have two teenage sons and I'm currently on call at work. Today alone I spent five hours in one meeting...

    Now, I'm supposed to calm down on the coins, but when I saw my #1 target - an Amastris stater - at the latest CNG auction, I was super tempted. First, I tried to be rational, as it does have several flaws.
    1. It's from the period after Amastris died. Come to think of it, she was drowned by her two sons, and I'm beginning to notice some parallels... :) Those coins are more numerous than those minted while she was alive, though interestingly both seem to fetch roughly the same prices.
    2. It's a bit worn, though it does meet the requirements I have for this coin.

    250_2.jpg

    (CNG photo - I don't have the coin in my possession yet)
    Circa 285-250 BC. AR Stater (23mm, 8.88 g, 12h). Head of Mên right, wearing Phrygian cap decorated with laurel branch and star / Aphrodite seated left, holding in extended right hand Nike, who crowns her with wreath, and cradling lotus-tipped scepter in left arm; rose to left. Callataÿ, Premier, Group 2, 43 (D17/R21 – this coin); RG 5; HGC 7, 356. Toned, minor porosity, a few metals flaws, light scratches. VF.
    From the Sigmund Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 49 (17 March 1999), lot 539.

    This coin was so high on my list because the era of the Diadochi has so many powerful women, but Amastris is the only one who minted her own coins. Arsinoe II does appear on some bronzes (Ephesos was renamed Arsinoeia), but they were minted by Lysimachos. Kleopatra of Macedon (Alexander's sister) did reign in Eipiros while her husband was away and after he died, but I haven't found any evidence she minted coins. This coin is the best representative for Olympias, Eurydike, and the other women who played major parts without any coins to show.

    I know very well what these have been going for, because I've been on the losing end of pretty much every one in the last six months. I took the optimal coin I was looking for, then estimated that this one was worth about 40% of that.

    However, I knew I couldn't bid that much, and that I've bought a lot of coins lately and shouldn't pick this one up despite how much I really, really, really wanted it. Finally, I remembered the discussion we had about pre-bids. The conclusion was - don't do them because you're just giving people time to outbid you.

    I knew I'd completely melt down if this coin wound up going for something really low, so I put in a bid of 60% of what I felt it was worth about an hour and a half before it went live. I then expected someone to outbid me, but the time drew closer and there was no action.

    Finally, with 20 seconds left, someone did try to snipe it. His bid wasn't high enough, and I expected some more bids. I'd seen it happen too many times. Only none came. I won the coin not even at my max but about 20% lower!

    This completely brightens my whole week.

    I even found some bonuses about the coin:
    1) It's cited by Callataÿ. The book is free to read online and I verified that.
    2) It weighs 8.88 grams. That's a really lucky number.
    3) It has a 22 year provenance. That's yesterday for many of you, but most of my coins have absolutely no provenance. Interestingly, the estimate back then was the same as CNG's estimate now. I couldn't find what it sold for back then.
    4) It's from a named collection. Again, that's a rarity for me. I have no idea what the "Sigmund Collection" is, but if Sigmund is still around then he/she should know that I'm going to take great care of this coin.

    Anyways, I'm doing my happy dance right now.

    Feel free to post your own "happy dance" coins.
     
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  3. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    That's an attractive, well-centered example with honest wear and pleasing toning. I'm glad the auction action allowed you to acquire it at a price that was within your budget.

    SCORE.jpg
     
    kirispupis likes this.
  4. Ryan McVay

    Ryan McVay Well-Known Member

    26537_26537_c.jpg
    So, why is there no description of what appears to bull horns in her lap? That's a major attribute of Men/Mithra. There are also examples of a possibly a snake on her right side/lap. That's more evidence of Mithra.
    Oh and absolutely a gorgeous coin!
     
  5. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    Wow. Both posted here so far are beautiful.
     
  6. kirispupis

    kirispupis Well-Known Member

    That's a stunning coin! I found this article with more info on Amastris.
     
    Broucheion and lordmarcovan like this.
  7. PlanoSteve

    PlanoSteve Well-Known Member

    Wow, that is a beauty!

    Been there, done that...mine turned out pretty darn good & like a good coin trader would do, I flipped them into 10 grandkids! :smuggrin: Don't worry, it'll work out OK! :happy:;)

    I did the same thing, but I was the only one in attendance...& still an argument broke out...it was stupid...whether the eggs should be scrambled or sunny side! :jawdrop:

    Based on your avatar, I think you'll be OK! :happy:

    I only see one flaw & Aphrodite's foot is laying flat on it...would be nice if it was carpeted! :p

    Nice capture! ;) I like reverses with a lot going on, & does anyone else think the face resembles a Morgan dollar, with the Elvis lips? :rolleyes:

    Between you & @Ryan McVay , those are 2 awesome specimens!
     
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  8. Ryan McVay

    Ryan McVay Well-Known Member

    OK. Just for clarification, the coin I posted is NOT mine. I have 2 kids in college! But it is part of a study Ihave been doing on Mithras/Men/Sol.
     
    PlanoSteve and kirispupis like this.
  9. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins Supporter

    Happy for you, my friend. Must have been a........

     
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