Didn't need to step into a casino to gamble...

It's been ages since I was last at a casino, but I've always enjoyed the occasional gamble, and mystery mixed coin lots have been one way for me to indulge. My bet here was on a minimally-described 14-coin lot where only the obverse sides of 6 of the coins were pictured.

I won it at my maximum bid, and after fees and shipping my average per coin cost was $35. I think the majority of the coins are in the ballpark (give or take $5-$10), and possibly I did much better than the average on a couple of them. The main thing for me is that I'm happy to be adding all of them them to my collection. They're a fun, electic bunch, and include coins from some collecting areas that are new to me... Baktria, the Indo-Skythians, even my first Alexander III.

I haven't gotten down to doing detailed attributions yet, but think I'm in the right neighborhood for most of them. If you spot any glaring errors, please do point them out. And feel free to let me know how you think I've done on this lot, or share any coins that could hang out with those from this group. Seeing that my self-imposed austerity budget is going to be kicking in soon, this may be my last large mixed lot for awhile!

 

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oh wow, what a fantastic lot Z. man, the first row has 300 bucks of coin in it...you scored dang well. the bactrian square silver is super, nice big ptolemy, sweet little seleucid bottlecap with an elephant, jugate busts, pegusus, horses...WIN!

 

Looks like you did very well. I'd pay $35 each for all of those and I'm cheap as everyone knows. BTW, the symbol beneath the Pegasus on the Akarnania Stater looks like a hippocamp.

 

The fact that you got something worthwhile for your efforts as well as new areas of interest would make up for any 'perceived' value loss... looks like you made a great score. Congrats!

 

I only visit this forum occasionally because I don't collect ancient coins. I can honestly say that I am impressed with their appearance. All are well struck, clean and without distracting marks or damage. As a lot buyer, without full pictures of each coin, you have beat the odds as only a true gambler can.

 

You're right, it does look quite like a hippocamp! The coin's rough surfaces don't help it, but it is in fact a seated dog... I presume meant to represent Argos, Odysseus' dog, with whom the city shared its name. It's the symbol behind Athena that I'm not too certain of... I believe it's a herm, but maybe it's a long knotted club? I don't have the Calciati reference, and haven't found any other examples of this type online, so it's still a bit of a mystery to me.

 

Don't get my hopes up or I really may end up visiting a casino!

But seriously, thanks, and I hope you won't be a stranger to these parts... the dark side has its charms .

 

Wow, Z! That's a heck of a nice lot. You definitely scored a bargain and all of the coins are keepers!

 

Oh my goodness, what a bunch. I am almost speechless. I'll give you $40.

 

Sorry P.P. . . . . . . . . $45

 

very nice pick ups.

LOVE BC



gr
eric

 

Bravo, Z-bro ... bravo!!

Man, I own several of those coin-types and I can tell ya that I definitely spent more than $35 each for those buggers!! (that's a delicious assortment of coin-chocolates!!)



Yup, that's a great selection of animal-coins, plus I really like the Bruttium tripod example (very cool)

Congrats, you won the ancient coin lottery => apparently, gambling pays-off!!

 

That's a really great looking group!

 

Thanks, folks . A number of the coins had issues that probably kept them from being sold individually, but I'm not complaining... I like them all and they'll be staying cosy in my collection for a good long while.

Thanks, Steve. Since I haven't sold any coins before, I wouldn't know if it's my most successful mixed lot coin gamble, but it's definitely my favorite so far. Gambling pays off some of the time, but as everyone knows, in the long run the house always wins. (Hmm, actually I think in this case, the "house" wins every time? )

 

The Timoleon dilitron alone is probably worth the cost of the entire lot. I am thoroughly jealous!

 

Sold!

 

I see 2-3 coins i would pay 35 for. The rest I would pay more, with a few I would pay much more. Best price/lot pick up I've seen so far this year. Great job.

 

Wow Z, what a great score, love them all, next Christmas you can have the person pick right off the tray..do you want to be my secret Santa next year!!JK.. Awesome!!

 

Holey smokes, Z. Instant awesome coin collection!

 

I want them all.

Please watch my pocketwatch swing back and forth for a couple seconds. Thank you.



Great lot Z