I think my most disappointing "non-purchase" was a Sicilian Akragras Didrachm (the one w/ the crab and the seagull) that went for $450 from ArtAncientLTD on ebay. It was nearly uncirculated. He has since sold similar condition didrachms for $1-2k
My one and only Otho cost me dearly and it's fairly worn on both sides. But at least you can still see some of the waves in his toupee. OTHO AR Denarius OBVERSE: IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P, bare head right REVERSE: VICTORIA OTHONIS, Victory standing left on globe, wreath extended in right, palm frond in left Struck at Rome, Jan-Feb 69 A.D 3.179g, 18.7mm RIC I 17, BMCRE I 25, SRCV I 2165 var (exergual line instead of globe)
Wow. That's actually in surprisingly good condition given what I've typically seen. As far as his portrait, those horizontal rows are probably the main thing I would look for as well. Great coin, i haven't seen you post it before.
Thanks. I think I've posted all my coins at one time or another. This is not my most expensive coin. That honor belongs to Caligula. But this one was about half as much.
Wow, that would have been a good deal. Ive missed out on many but life goes on. Others surface that make up for me. Lovely otho, jw. Thats about the shape I want mine in.
Fantastic Nero! I think you definitely took a positive step with the better portrait despite it being a more common coin.
This Nero coin was a "junk box" find. I think the BD is in check. NERO Alexandria, Egypt Billon Tetradrachm A.D. 62-65 11.63 grams, 24.5 mm Obv: Rad. Head of Nero facing right. Rev: Personification (Bust) of Alexandria facing right. AVTO KPA (autocrator) Grade: Good details with dark chocolate color including some corrosion & sizeable planchet split at 1:00. Other: Sear Greek Imperial Coins #633. Nero was a bad boy emperor. He killed his pregnant wife Poppaea with a kick to her stomach. From Ken Viets Coins September 2013.
You found a Nero tet...in a junk box. Please stop blowing my mind people, it needs a break. BTW, could you post a pic of the reverse?
Of course, it is a Billon Tet. I learned much looking up this coin from scratch. I originally thought I had stumbled upon a Nero/Poppaea coin. The educational value far exceeded the small price paid. Here are the photos:
I posted my Nero Alexandria Tet before, but I like it so much I will post it again. BTW, C89, that's a nice coin for a junk box find. NERO AR Billon Tetradrachm OBVERSE: NERW KLAV KAIS SEB GER, radiate bust right, wearing aegis REVERSE: AVTOKPA, draped bust of Alexandria right in elephant skin headdress, LIB to right, year 12 Struck at Alexandria, Egypt, 65/6AD 10.8g, 28mm Köln 172-174; Curtis 36-54, Dattari 204, SGI 633, RPC 5289.
Since it was mentioned I'll repost my real dog of a Poppaea. You can see the two Pi's just behind her head but she is separated from the Alexandria personification by her lack of the elephant headdress and the presence of the long braid down to her shoulders. Both coins are very common but the Poppaea sells for more because of demand caused by who she was and the kick story.
