Hello, I've recently been getting interested in coin collecting (a lot of reading, a little buying) and wanted to buy a Punic coin for my upcoming birthday. If anyone's interested, What do you think of the following... Melqart 'People of the camp' TETRADRACHM. I found what looks like this coin sold at auction by Heritage Auctions for $900 in September (same NGC number, identical visual). http://www.ebay.com/itm/141103349806?redirect=mobile Being new I'm pretty risk averse in terms of authenticity so I like that it went through Heritage and has the NGC cert. Also, does that pitting look normal/expected? Is the provenance and definition worth the asking price (even anywhere near ballpark) for this bronze classic Tanit/horse in your opinion? Comparable coins minus the advertised provenance sell for a fraction of the cost although it is hard to find one with that level of detail (excluding AR and AU). http://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/edg...palm_tree_with_fruit_in_b/206954/Default.aspx Thanks very much.
A Carthage Siculo Punic Tet sounds like a fantabulous birthday present. If you shop around, you will find a nice one in the price range of your linked coin. (I couldn't open the second link). I think if the horse's eye is a pick-up point for a high grade piece. Here is my prized possession: SICULO PUNIC, SICILY, Entella. AR Tetradrachm. 300-289 B.C. 16.72 grams, 23 mm Obv: Head of Hercules rt. in lion skin Rev: Horse head left with date palm tree behind & MHSBM in exergue [Mint of the Quaestors] series 5b Grade: aEF nice detail centered & toned only MHSBM in exergue is weak Other: Carthaginian mercenary coin ☺ Sim. Sear 6438, SNG.Cop.91, Jen From Pegasi Numismatics 4/2013
Beautiful coins. I know so very little about this type, but there are some here whose collection themes include Punic/Carthage coins. OK Anoob. You're up to bat.
My computer finally loaded the bronze coin link. Wow, that is high grade & high price. It is a nice milk chocolate brown color = sweet. If you are just starting an ancient coin collection, there are many (many) coins from which you may choose for less money. Please don't get my intention wrong. They are both great coins but there are many great coins from which you can choose. Consider meeting some of the good ancient coin dealers and their coin offerings before pulling the trigger on a $2,000 coin. There are some coin shows scheduled in November. If you are in the New York area, there is a good show in Westchester NY November 29 & 30. There is also the Whitman/Baltimore Expo November 7-10.
No I see your point, I think I'm still going to pull the trigger on something splurg-y this month; after all you only turn 40 once. Edit: Ugh, turns out there was a coin show in Fort Worth this past weekend (I'm in Dallas). One in Grapevine coming up, I will definitely go to that.
I just sent you some auction links by PM. I didn't link any particular coins but thought you might really enjoy seeing some of the ancient coin offerings in the links. (There are some nice Carthage coins & some others from Sicily).
Comparing the linked coin and the photo from Collect 89 really makes a good point about our hobby. One has surface problems and an indistinct horse eye (I agree this is a feature worthy of note). The other has a beautiful reverse, beautiful surfaces and a bit of a crowding problem on the obverse cutting the nose. Which is the better coin? We may all have our own opinions but I really believe that a beginner who is considering spending $2k on a coin like this might be better finding an agent (full service dealer) to seek a nice coin rather than asking the likes of me an opinion. If I were planning to buy a coin of this type, I would want better surfaces. The following page of examples might prove interesting: http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?search=similar:666477#0
I've been on that site for weeks. Very handy for comparable research. I wasn't clear enough earlier, I will offer well below asking price of $1,800 for that coin (if I do) because I know the seller paid less than a thousand and you can get a comparable with a lot less pitting for not much more. Edit: I agree it's not ideal to drop say $1,000+ flying solo BTW, sound advice.
Ummmm .... => if Batman happens to be out there, then I'm hoping that he'll "inform you on its worth" .... and/or ... I think your coin is "amazing"
Cor those who are interested... I pulled the trigger on the Melqart silver, got it for $1,050 which I think is fair. The very optimistic $1,995 original asking price was certainly a reach. Cannot wait for it to arrive.
One thing that you should know for ancients is that NGC does not guarantee the coins authenticity that they slab.
Thank you; that was roughly my impression but you helped crystallize it. I just took it as a good sign that it we t through another set of expert hands. Not sure what I think of slabbing yet but this one is so I'll either like it or learn to LOL.
