My Wifes Pickup at Boston ANA Worlds Fair of Money

Morning people. I don't get over to this part of the forum very much because I'm not not much of a "world" or "ancient" guy but a funny thing happened last weekend at the Boston Worlds Fair of Money. My wife had accompanied me on the trip and usually she exhibits zero interest in what I collect. While I was seated at a dealers (900fine) table looking over some classic US commemorative coins, she glances over at some ancient coins that were being offered for sale. Robin (900fine's wife) was very helpful and before too long my wife had decided on something she would like to purchase. Who'd o' thunk? I've got another collector in the family as she seems to be developing an interest in ancients. Thought I'd share with you folks what she got.......

Ptolemaic Egypt
Ptolemy IV, 221-204 B.C.AE 40 (48.0 gms)
BMC-6,66,37.
Head of Zeus right/Eagle on thunderbolt

 

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Aww! Ain't that cute. You're a coin-couple! Sounds like it was a good idea to meet 900fine & Co. too. Nicely chosen piece. It's a very dynamic portrait.

 

Thankyou Chris.

 

I showed this thread to Robin... she's thrilled ! It brought a hint of tear to her eye.

This is the same way she started - with an interest in the quirky and unusual. Me !

 

Lol......

 

There are a tremendous amount of interesting coins. You are lucky she got something as affordable as a Ptolemy bronze and stayed away from the gold! My wife does not like coins either, but many Greek coins are so beautiful she likes them.

You should research why they put the dimple on these coins, to try to suck her into the other aspects of numismatics!

 

There goes your coin budget Ken, you'll have to start splitting it with the wife.

 

Good for you Green!! I hear some women find coin collecting sexy!!

 

That tends to be true with Greek and Macedonian, which have fabulous high-relief designs - often mythological figures. True art, appealing to the aesthetic. One need not be an expert to love 'em.

Roman coins tend to have emperors and other political figures. They're great for history buffs and specialists, but not so much for casual folks.

 

I've been researching all morning and all I can seem to find is how the ancients did this, not why. Were these two center marks made by the ancients to correct the weight of the coin? My research has led me to the fact that these marks were made before striking.....

 

The last I read about it was:
1. That the flans had these on them to make the correct weight adjustments or
2. These are pincer marks to hold the hot flan before striking. This was since the flans are so large they had to be heated to strike properly.

Either way they are on the flans before striking.

Not sure which is the currently accepted response. I do not know why both reasons coulnd't be justified. I do know they appear on smaller examples too, (I have AE12's with them on the flan), so not sure if that helps decide it. Maybe Doug has the latest and greatest thoughts on the subject.

 

now I know where it went!
I went back by 900fine's table near the end of the show with the intent of maybe buying that coin only to find out it was gone. Great coin at a very good price!

Richard

 

Don't worry Richard, its got a good home.....

Thanks for the reply and info Medoraman.

 

A very interesting piece. Like you Ken I know next to nothing about ancients. So, will we be seeing a MrsGreen18 in our log-in future?

 

Hi, this is Robin (900fine's wife) I'm so glad you both like the coin! I love it when a coin really makes someone happy It was great to meet you both. Thanks again!

 

Now there's a great "handle" LOL.......

Robin, it was indeed a pleasure for us to meet both you and Ricky too. I might add that along with the ancient that she bought from you, she also picked up a few Standing Liberty quarters and some Liberty Head nickels foraging through dealers junk bins. She says she likes old and worn coins. All I can do is smile.....

 

Sounds like a Large Cent copperhead in the making to me !!!

 

OK, Ken, Rick just gave me a great idea........just wait.......

 

Congratulations one the coin and the addition of another coin collector to your home.

Welcome to the forum "OldSchool."

Enjoy,Tess.

 

http://dougsmith.ancients.info/pit.html Centration marks
http://dougsmith.ancients.info/phil2mar.html more
http://dougsmith.ancients.info/ All my opinions up to when I got tired
http://dougsmith.ancients.info/voc.html The series I really wish people would read

When bored, you may read my opinions on some of this but ancients are not nearly as fully cut and dried as moden coins so there are opinions.

The Ptolemy is a nice example (look for a really big one - 46mm). Look for information on vending machines that used these coins. (not kidding)

What should be your next coin? My suggestion is below. .2g coins are easy to find. Under .1g is harder.