Tried my hand at photographing a few of Zohar's ancients...

Zohar sent me 3 ancientsto photograph (along with some wonderful Talers). They were fun!

-Brandon

 

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Very nice photography and even better subjects. Wonderful coins.

 

Looks like you have a steady hand and a nice setup.

 

Superb pics of superb coins!

 

Great images.

 

Nice!

 

He wouldn't let ya break 'em outta those slabs?



... that never gets old, eh Zohar?

You and brg5658 make a great pair ...

=> great looking coins and sweet photography!! (congrats)

 

You ancients peeps sure ride the "anti-slab" topic pretty hard.

 

they are not called ancient folks for nothing...I say again, good luck to you all selling a $5000 raw coin.

 

Sell 'em? => who wants to sell 'em? (I adopt them)

Hey, don't let me drag ya down, Zohar (they're "your coins" and they look great)

=> keep-up the awesome work!! (again, great Team-work)

 

I don't get dragged down easy in this hobby, especially as most collectors or forums are open minded. This forum (especially a few opinionated forum gods here who invented the ancient collecting rule book) like to bash anything that doesn't match their perspectives, slabbing in particular. To me a crusty low grade coin is as much included in the hobby as much as a high end $150,000 coin - we all enjoy each others "goods" for various reasons - history, art, quality. I may not like a coin or an approach yet make it a point to let each of us enjoy and share their passion.

When it comes to slabbing in particular, I sense ongoing resentment. I can accept a "critical" comment once yet it seems that every post I have ever made gets the same negative response from the same folks regarding my coins being slabbed. This is why I checked out of this forum - it is simply not welcoming nor enjoyable due to the demeanor of a few, where I assume most being pleasant passionate collectors. I collect for myself not for a forum. If the enjoyment is impaired by sharing, then no need to fight it.

Lastly, brg5658 posted these as he did me a great favor by imaging these coins along with the Talers. Do these slabs diminish from the images captured? I wish everyone can capture a raw coin as accurately as brg5658 did through plastic. He, as myself, has passion for the coins regardless of how they come - raw or slabbed.

 

I've expressed my opinion that slabbing isn't necessary for common, inexpensive coins, but I would certainly want coins of your value verified by NGC or David Sear. No resentment here. I'm glad that you take the time and effort to share your exquisite specimens with us, and I don't think you could get better images of them than what brg has provided.

 

I was wondering where you went and had guessed that the reason you mentioned is the reason you weren't around as much. That's a bummer dude. We shouldn't be trying to annoy people away. I find the ancient community small enough that would should be welcoming to all.

Personally, I just want to see super awesome coins like that Mercury denarius. I think that is my favourite of all the coins we have seen of yours.

My only critique of the photographs is that some of the label is blocked.

 

Yes, they do diminish the images. I would like to see what the same photographer could do without the plastic and without the ugly white tabs. Would the images be less hazy or is that the preference of the photographer for retaining detail in shadows?

Just checking, it would seem you are right that expensive coins can't sell unslabbed. Triton XVIII only has two weeks to go before closing and I saw only one bid at $30,000 so far with no hits on the $150,000 coins. Of course, some people wait until later to bit so things may pick up a bit. Coins in that bracket need, IMHO, to be sold by major firms who have employees who can tell what they are selling. Some of our objections to slabs is the attempt to make a commodity salable by flea market dealers and fences with no earthly idea what it is they are selling. For years, we have had the David Sear certificates which do not include encapsulation and the opinions of people (selling dealers) we of the old school recognize as expert. Without the slabs, David Vagi would be on that list but anonymous employees might not. Other than NGC, what slab brands are considered worth their cost? Personally I have no objection to paying $50 for an opinion on a $5000 coin but doing so on a $50 coin seems unnecessary. If I wanted a photo of my $5 coin in a 5 cent cardboard, I would tear it out and shoot. Seeing these wonderful coins shot with the tabs hurts.

 

If you couldn't read between the lines, Doug, you are the so-called "forum god". I have seen your images, and quite frankly, mine are just as good as yours outside of plastic whether you want to admit it or not. You are entitled to your opinion, but when someone starts to tell others how they should collect then you have really taken the fun out of the hobby.

If those little tabs really bother you that much, then I think you may want to invest in some anti-anxiolytics. I'm not sure what you're seeing that's "hazy" but you may also want to get your eyes checked. There are very few people on this forum who are always raining on everyone else's parade, but you seem to be the go-to grumpy old man. Lighten up a little.

 

Fantastic photos Brandon (and coins Zohar, so stunning!). Where are the Taler pics?! Did you post 'em in the World Coin section?

Same here, if there awesome then they're keepers.

 

Yes, the Taler pics are here.

 

Respectfully, I haven't seen images come close to brg's on this or other forums. I wish I could image anything close to this level and meticulous approach to the images.

Regarding pricing - an established, pedigreed specimen is an alternative to a slab. Otherwise, compare raw and slabbed on Heritage and see the divergence between the two. A $50 coin is not worth slabbing unless one pursues a uniform presentation etc. Its not economical as in other world coinage.

Lastly, not looking for praise, yet not seeking an ongoing lecture. I get lectured in other places.

 

I do like the photography and the coins are pretty cool. I also understand the difficulty of photographing through plastic. I am only going to be a little critical of photo number 3. It appears that part of the flan's serrates where cropped out a tad and their is what appears to be unfinished spots between the serrates and the where the circle selection is. Other wise good photo.


Just remember NGC doesn't slab ALL ancient coins, so if you find a coin and looking for a uniform presentation it might not be possible.
Hey send me some coins and I will take some nice pics with my Samsung Galaxy s5.