This is rather a bad picture gamble, but I just sniped this coin for a song. Although it only grades F, it doesn't seem to have any problems other than wear, perhaps a bit of roughness on the obverse but it's hard to tell from the images. What I liked about it is that the legends are fully readable and it seems to have acquired a lovely hard patina. It was up for a few days so I had plenty of time to research the coin. I found many examples in higher grades with much worse issues - all sorts of nasty corrosion and cracks, etc. And the coins I found at the price I paid for this one ($35) were generally downright abominable. So without further ado, here it is. Seller's pics - I'll post new ones as soon as I get it... Rome 246-249 16 grams 29 mms Obv. IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev. LIBERALITAS AVGG III SC Philip I and Philip II seated left on curule chairs Sear-2671 RIC-267a
This looks like the kind of coin that will look better in hand. It may not be easy to photograph but you can definitely improve on the seller's pix.
Well, this coin arrived today, and I'm very pleased with it. The colors are beautiful, and it's a nice big coin compared to my LRBs - my first sestertius. The eye appears to have been tooled, but it's not a big deal. Here are a few preliminary shots in the sun. I'll get to imaging it properly later...
That's a nice looking hand. Oh, I mean coin. Your image is much better, especially on the obverse. :thumb:
Yeah, I've gotten over holding ancient coins in my palm. As a collector of moderns, it made me really squeamish the first few times.
This image most closely approximates the colors in average room light. I know some of you guys don't like black backgrounds on dark coins, but it is my preference, so you'll just have to deal.
I don't think the eye has been tooled. They made eyes like that frequently. Nice pickup, lucky I didn't see it.