I got these coins in a large lot of Asian coins from a seller who knew nothing about them. I figure they are either ancient or crude Indian state coins. Can anyone help me ID them?
Lower left is Kashmir, Kshemagupta and Didda Rani joint reign. The other three are Sri Lanka. Lower right and upper left are Bhuvanaika Bahu. I cant make out the letters on the upper right coin.
Doug, this is one I have? Will look for pic of other side of coin and send it. Similar to upper right coin. Any idea on age and possible value?
Sri Lanka, Copper Massa, King ParakramaBahu II (1236-1271 AD) These are common and have no considerable value (10-15 dollar max in this state).
Thank you and even though it is worth little, beauty is in the eye of the beholder? I do like the design of the coin very much and the boldness of the strike? Worth about what I paid for it. Thanks again, Big Red
Its an extremely nice example of the type, Big Red. I have seen very few so well struck. You have to forgive our jadedness here. I get it too. We get so used to these ancient and medieval coins, we forget how awe inspiring and wondrous they are to those who haven't handled tens of thousands of these. I just bought some coins this last weekend and am not really geeked about it, but I should be. I got 10 Sogdian pieces, from the very first silver imitation of greek coins to later cash like pieces. A few years ago I would be all excited, but now that I have a few hundred of these pieces, they aren't as exciting to me. Like I said, please forgive us if we do not get as excited as newcomers do over these great coins. Its us that are to blame, we SHOULD be more excited, right? Edit: Btw, no offense meant to THCoins. He answered you like I answer questions on CT as well, casually throwing out market prices. I wasn't meaning to demena anyone's response, just say its common to all of us more experienced members to forget how amazing these coins are to those not familiar with them.
Agree fully with medoraman ! The fact that my response was short was purely practical. I wrote it on an iPad, and i hate typing on the screen without a real keyboard. Just thought i'd give you the name and requested value estimate. But this specimen is indeed very nice ! With common, i just referred to the scarceity of these. I would also advice not to clean it any further, as the deposits on the coin add to its eye-appeal. I sometimes still can't believe that such ancient and well preserved pieces can be bought for such limited amounts of money. But i hope you'll also take advantage of that. If you sometimes step a bit outside the mainstream Romans and Greeks there's a lot to be discovered at low cost. Welcome to the ancient side !
Well, now I know I am amongst the "good guys"! Sure, I was a little let down, that the coin was common and of little value (But, not to me!) And I do very much appreciate your honesty and I can already tell, "I am amongst friends" and "Kindred Spirits"? It is very important for me to feel "comfortable" and I already do, so thanks for that too? It is, right now, so bewildering, so much more than I ever thought it would be and I feel like my eyes are still shut and not even a little bit cracked open (maybe a smudge?) against this avalanche of information and knowledge! I have been lucky enough to befriend a group of people, who have some really nice coins for sale (How nice, remains to be seen?) And I get to view them first, before they go on sale to the general public, which is awesome, except, I am such a novice, I don't hardly know what I am looking at? I seem to notice, you all are "specializing" on a certain type of coin, or, "certain types" of coins? I wonder if maybe you advanced coin experts (compared to me, a babe in the woods?.....) Might have a list of what is worth buying, or "rare", in Ancient Coins? I know, I know, that's a tall order, but even a small list is better than I have now? ( an uneducated guess!) I do seem to lean toward unknown, uncataloged and/or error coins, but I also see these very small coins that seem to be rather unique and few and far between? I am (trying!) to include some pictures of some of my coins, many of which are (Supposedly?) rare and unknown?.....And I am starting to realize that there are many, many, hundred to thousands of these around and they may or may not, be rare and exceptional? Shit! Anyway, danged if I didn't run on again, sorry fellows.....I will stop! Thanks, Big Red P.S.: Below is a brockage coin I recently bought, what do you think of it? Trajan- Roman Emperor: 98-117 A.D. Bronze Brockage 17mm (3.55 grams) 17mm Struck circa 98-117 A.D. Brockage of Trajan's head left.
Brokages are highly desirable, Big Red, at least to most of us. But it looks like you've posted the same pic of the obverse twice. I'd like to the brokage side.
Once i had decided to focus on ancients i became instantly clear that i could not cover the whole field. The best advice i can give you is: 1- Buy what you like. Once you have discovered an area in which you are specially interested: 2- Read into your subject before you buy many more. This will save you lots of money and frustration. 3 - Don't go into ancient coins as a solid financial investment. 4 - Have fun ! It is easy to become an expert, just find a niche you like, and dive in. The more exotic the types (the KushanShah of my Avatar is considered exotic by many) the easier it seems to communicate with world experts through the internet.
Btw, your avatar is a spectacular piece. I do not think most know it, since you would have to go through all of the stuff on the market for a few years, to realize how superlative that piece is. They simply are not available for any price in that nice of shape. I have a few nice pieces, but nothing approaching that one.