Featured THE THOUGHTS OF AN OLD COLLECTOR

I might suggest that there are many other ancient coins much harder to find in perfection. Even in sestertii, show me your Valerian and Gallienus. High quality is elusive in many fields and common in a very few.

 

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Marc this does not need A&B treatment, the surfaces are so incredible

 

@jeff: Your Septimius Severus seems to be perfect looking like it was rather washed than mechanically cleaned, which is very rare. Although I do not see any evidence of painting, I would test even this sestertius if I were the lucks owner. A&B treatment will help to identify fraud. After being duped so many times, I am putting any Roman bronze under general suspicion. Maybe, some fellow collectors and especially the dealers think that I am feeling paranoid but control is better than blind trust.

@dougsmit: I agree with you. It is very difficult to acquire these military crisis emperors' bronzes in a really satisfying shape. Although many of them are free from circulation traces, virtual all leave to be desired from point of manufacturing.

My friend is possessing this wonderful Gallienus sestertius, which I would regard as perfect.

 

I agree that is a magnificent Gallienus and something anyone should be proud to have. However there are people who would hold it to the standards we expect of a century earlier and dislike the shape and blob on the reverse.

Circulation traces? The average sestertius of the period (like my Valerian) has just about every fault imaginable except for wear. I doubt these circulated much considering the buying power of that denomination by that time.

 

What a magnificent Gallienus - a dream coin.

To give the A&B treatment the coin can get a FLAT look after such treatment. Maybe it is good those who are not experienced in the hobby. I do not recommend as not every bronze will react the same way.

Beware, enjoy the hobby not the phobia that can develop, the next thing will be maybe coins that are not A&B cleaned we will imagine the guards of the Emperor following us in our sleep

 

+1

 

P-h-o-b-i-a .... wha? ... P-h-o-b-i-a ... I can't hear you???

 

Common phobias:
Its a fake?
Bronze disease?
Overpriced?
I'll never see one again?
CT guys will approve?

 

=> oh, and you forgot my fav => is that bugger "smoothed and tooled!!"