I'm been thinking about getting one for a while now. This one caught my eye. It is from the Tenmos mint, which was known for making coins with large flans. This one is 36mm by 38mm. What is a good price for it? I am wanting a very large silver ancient coin with an attractive design and a significant historical context without breaking the bank. If you have any other suggestions, I would love to hear them. I particularly like the designs on Greek coins.
These are nice because of the huge flans and can be had at a reasonable price. I don't know if this a rare variety but research the type on CNG and get a ballpark figure.
I would pay 225-250 USD for a *Temnos minted tet in similar condition. As far as "significant historical context," you may be more delighted with a concurrent "lifetime," or directly post mortem "posthumous" issue, as compared to an "In the name of," of which this particular piece was minted; approximately 140 years after Alexander's death. I find the coins minted during and directly after the life of Alexander to hold more historical importance and display more artistic merit. Both of which are debatable. I'll post some examples in a moment from my collection that are comparative, monetarily.
The following were all, save 1 ( 1st picture, 2nd from the left, bottom row,), minted during or within 45 years of Alexander's death by a general, usurper, satrap, or family member. All were purchased, individually, for 130-400 USD. If you have any questions about any specific piece, send me a PM and I'll give you more info, i.e. years, mint, ruler, etc. -Michael
I've been doing research on this piece, and I discovered this fact. I may push this coin off until later because it is not as historically interesting as I had originally thought.
That never stopped me. If I like a coin enough and it calls out to me, and if I have the budget to get it, I get it. It's historically significant enough being a 2,200 year old coin from a long vanished civilization. Bottom line, do you like the design/style? Does it call out to you? Will it make you happy getting it? If yes, then get it. Who cares what anyone else thinks...it's your collection!
Temnos is a cool mint, and I have always liked the broad flans like Alabanda, Byzantium, etc. This one however is one of those 'one sided coins', and in this case the obverse is much nicer than the reverse. I would estimate its value at $250. I like these discussions about value. Most collectors often value coins less than 50% of what they can buy them, but when selling estimate about 200% or more! I would say take your time, just buy the coin which personally 'speaks' to you. That is about all that matters.
Generic CNG description: THRACE, Mesambria. Circa 175-150 BC. AR Tetradrachm. In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY, Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; in inner left field, ΠPO above crested Corinthian helmet right; HPA below throne. Probably a 800+ USD example. I don't own one, but is lovely. Though, if I were in the market for one, I'd look for one with a textured lion's mane. I should state that if I were buying this specific piece, from a private seller, with the above photos provided; I would be searching the fake databases and getting many additional opinions on forums like this. Something looks off to me, but could just be because it's a near immaculate example.
Here you go. This seller is on some counterfeit seller lists. My confidence in this piece has been blown up. http://www.ebay.com/itm/262563021956?_trksid=p2060353.m1431.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
An additional piece the guy has for sale. The one below is even more obvious. Anything high end this guy has for sell are forgeries. Like mentioned in an earlier thread, "guilty by association." For me, any question of authenticity is one question too many. I don't risk it. Was this supposed to be a test or something? Ha
Ah. Some confusion. I was commenting on the original coin in question, not the second gang photo, or the third Ebay one. Lets be more clear about which we are talking about (me too). That Ebay seller seems to have a nice mix of things (if one can call it that), genuine and bad fakes. On Ebay I see the biggest sellers of fakes now seem to be from Spain.
