Eid Mar aureus estimate too high?

Sorry for the repost, but the estimates for this EID MAR aureus that was on loan to the British Museum and now on auction seems high ($US 2 million).


“One side of the coin shows an inscription that reads “EID MAR” short for Eidibus Martiis, the Ides of March, along with two daggers and a liberty cap symbolizing the fight for freedom. The other side of the coin features a portrait of Brutus with the inscription “BRVT IMP” or Brutus, Imperator.”

“The coin has a tiny hole in it just above the head of Brutus. It is believed that it could have been worn by a high-ranking supporter and perhaps even one of the conspirators of Caesar’s murder.”

https://www.barrons.com/amp/article...ted-to-fetch-2m-at-zurich-auction-01647368399

Nice background history on this coin.

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/59762

 

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Given the hole, at that price, I could live without it. It's neat idea to think that one of Brutus' high ranking supporters might have worn it, but until there's DNA evidence, it's just that, an idea.

 

The catalog isn't out yet but the printed estimate will be 750K CHF; the expectation is that it might sell for considerably more and I don't think that $2M will be unreasonable.

It last sold for 230K CHF hammer in 2008 (prior to that, 120K CHF in 2004) and has since been on display for a number of years in the British Museum and comes with a published pedigree to the Biaggi collection.

It's a highly desirable example despite (and/or perhaps because of) the hole. It's a rare case where the damage might add value due to the story it evokes.

 

I mean, if I had a spare $2mil sitting around, I'd definitely buy it...
I don't though, so I guess it will just be a pipe dream.
The way things have been going, I wouldn't be surprised if this sells for well over $2mil.
Iconic coin, great pedigree, interesting story; check. check. check.

 

Who believes this? On what basis is this belief supported?

It is believed that ancient aliens created this coin to fool modern collectors...

 

Great coin - $2 million...seem to be about right. $10 million in 15 years.

 

Isn’t this one of only 3 known? It’s pretty amazing to me that this coin sold for only 120k in 2004. Arguably the most famous ancient coin and only three known ... I would have thought it was a million dollar coin at that time.

 

There are indeed only three examples known, with just one other in private hands. That piece sold for more than $4M in late 2020. $2M sounds like a steal!

https://www.coinworld.com/news/worl...le-sets-record-for-ancient-coin-selling-price

 

I have to agree with @AncientJoe. I think this coin will do well in the upcoming NAC auction. This coin is very rare but unlike some of the others has a really good pedigree. Once more I would suspect that while it was on display at the British Museum it was studied by their experts. I would have to assume they thought it was the real deal. This is important in that there has been some debate surrounding at least two other EID MAR Aureii.

Back in September 2019 I was in London and visited the British Museum and saw the coin on display there. This is my less than stellar picture of that coin while it was on display. This is the main reason why I get someone else to take pics of my coins. THIS IS NOT MY COIN When I came back last November it was no longer on display, which was unfortunate. I now know why.

 

Wow. I wouldn't be surprised at all if this went for $2m.

 

Well, it could have been! Can you prove it wasn't?

 

It’s a pity that this beautiful and historical very important coin probably disappears in a banksafe as an investment object
I would have loved to see this coin in the British Museum which I plan to visit later this year.

 

A historically cool and interesting coin, but for that kind money I'd rather go with the denarius in better shape, even if less rare.

 

No kidding. Plus I dont want to pay $2mill and have the coin with a hole and scratch to boot.

 

They have been many debates by experts about the authenticity this exceptional coin . Even M.Crawford refused to include it in his Roman Republican Coinage in 1974. He believed the coin to be a forgery, and was sceptical about the existence of this issue. But in 1989, H.Cahn, in his study on dies of the Eid Mar coins, explained that the style and the epigraphy of this aureus perfectly matched the serie. So if we condamn this coin, we are also doubting all the denarius in this series that share with this specimen certain stylistic and and epigraphic attributes. There is another specimen in the BM since 1825, previously owned by George III and George IV, kings of the United Kingdom; but this one is a forgery…

 

Haha! Thanks for the laugh!

My guess is that you ran into a lot of conspiracy theorists during your legal career.

 

I might take a bank loan from a bid.
It will be paid by my great-great-great-great-grandsons.

Seriously speaking, a great piece of history. Holed or not.
I will not comment on this part as it's impossible to prove. I could say it was holed by Brutus himself.

There was a thread on CT a few months ago where a LARGE number of aureii were detected to be repaired. I hate this practice but all the traces were masterfully hidden. Being a very rare coin, I hope this one would not reach into the same hands.

 

If, I had to keep the coin forever, I would not even pay 5K for it. It would irk me to look at a "holed" coin. On the otherhand, I would pay 2M for that MS Saturninus Aureus/ which is MUCH rarer/ and better looking/ or any of the Alexander of Carthage aurei.

 

I don't think we have to worry about that with this coin. It is too well known and extensively published. If it were repaired and came back on the market it would be quite obvious. If a holed example were dug up somewhere tomorrow, however, a repair would be a distinct possibility.