I saw this one floating on ebay and bought it at what I believed to be a very fair price for a choice piece. Hopefully I find one with nicer style down the line. Pardon my somewhat "reddish" images due to plastic reflection. Alexander III The Great ca 336-323 BC. Early Posthumous Issue Amphipolis. AR Tetradrachm. 25mm, 17.08g. Price 468. Müller 60. Obv: Head of Hercules with face of Alexander to right. Rev: ALEXANDROU Zeus Aetophoros enthroned to left, eagle on extended right hand, sceptre in left hand. On outer left L over torch. Kantharos under throne. NGC AU* 5/5, 5/5.
man, you've really got a thing for those slabbed babies, eh? => oh well, it looks like a pretty nice addition (well done)
I learned the hard way in buying higher grade world coins that upon purchase, coins are graded generously by seller, when time to sell, there is a heavy discount. The plastic holder/seal doesn't impact my primary decision - like the coin, eye appeal etc. but validates the technical grade assigned. 3rd party grading is not perfect or always consistent, yet in looking at various dealers websites, I can see significant variance in how their coins are graded by them.
Gorgeous coin, don't get me wrong (sweet and out of my league) ... However, that must limit the number of coins in your cross-hairs (do you only seek slabbed prey?)
I am really a complete novice in the area of collecting and got into it in an unorthodox manner.... just buy what looks nice and makes sense price wise. I am now learning more as I go primarily through this forum, yet also with a few background reference books I have purchased. Will see how this goes. I also decided to focus on the higher grade type purchase if I can find/afford them, as I sense they maintain their value. That is what I have done in my primary Taler collection which you can see in my signature line. . With this economy you clearly see the drop in World AU and low MS graded coins vs. the higher grade category. Very challenging for those looking to upgrade as they take a hit on the lower graded pieces. Putting aside plastic - I always look at the coin first to make sure I like it regardless of the technical grade. Clearly there is nuance in the ancient coin side - pedigree, styling etc and the handling of the coins, which allow the expert to feel comfortable buying raw without grading. I fully respect this fact and hope to get to such degree of confidence in the future. I am not there at this time.
Well, you've certainly been buying some sweet coins so far (I'm merely wondering if you're swimming in a pond with very wealthy fish ... the non-slabbed Koi are just as pretty) Ummm, but Zohar444 => man, your coins absolutely "rock" (so please don't let me sway you one way or another) => you're obviously doing pretty damn well without our/my help (bravo, dawg!!) => please keep 'em comin'!!
Great coin Zohar! And at a good price. I've been stalking those Kings of Macedon Alexander Tets on eBay lately as well. The savvy buyer can still find a nice one for under $500 with a little patience.
All I would really ask if that those who buy slabbed coins get something for their money. There is currently on eBay an Athenian New Style tet graded XF by NGC which has so much wear on the reverse that the letter on the amphora is completely gone. The coin is listed as strike 5/5 so you can't say that the letter was never struck up. In the field is a facing head of Sol minor type completely missing the facial features. I really suggest those considering spending over $1000 on a coin learn how to look at the coin rather than just reading the label. I wonder if the grader here was aware that there was supposed to be a letter on the amphora or what that radiate thing in the field was. I am not saying that in today's market that coin is not worth the starting price. What it is not is XF. There are nicer ones offered now and they are higher (slabbed and not). Buy the coin, not the slab.
