Do I Keep or Sell?

As a dealer I just cant keep everything I come across. I would go broke in a month! But on occasion I get something I really like and I am indecisive. The coin below is rare, only one other in the sales record (the Dattari example). So far I cant tell if its one of two known or more than that. In any instance I likely will never come across another one:

Antoninus Pius, 138 - 161 AD
AE Drachm, Egypt, Alexandria Mint
Obverse: ANTWINO CCEBEVCEB, Laureate and draped bust of Pius left.
Reverse: L I Z, Coiled Serapis-Agathodaimon serpent rising right from ground, grain ears to either side.
Dattari8688 // Koln1721 // K&G35.594

A little over-cleaned revealing some porosity, otherwise an excellent coin. Should I keep it?

 

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Yeah keep it, why not.

 

Depends on how much you can get for it and how sales are for Nov and Dec.

Over cleaning sucks but I buy coins with lots of scratches on it

If it was me, I would keep it just because it is so interesting.

 

You can always sell. Wait until you're sure.

 

You have said it yourself - you really like it, and you don't think you will ever come across another one. Go for it.

Don't hesitate. I did once with a very special coin. I hesitated because the it was a little pricey. That was over 22 years ago. I have never ever seen another. I have regretted that decision ever since.

 

I think Eduard said it best.

I'd keep it!!

 

I'll be watching in case you decide to sell it

I'm trying to collect examples of all representations and sycretions of Serapis.

 

KEEP IT!

That's why I'm not a dealer.

 

Keep it.

 

keep it... i don't there there is such a thing as "keepers remorse" is there?

 

Most collectors are going to say keep it, and if I thought you were just a collector I would say the same, but as you are a dealer and that coin looks like it has good profit potential I would sell.

 

Is the rarity the only reason why it is interesting? If so, then I say sell. If there is an interesting backstory, then I say keep.

 

Being not a dealer I would keep (I have very hard time selling coins I like)

Q

 

There are dealers who have told me that they can not be both dealers and collectors. I know one in particular that has a wonderful collection of coins I'd like but he is only a dealer as a hobby. The question is which are you first. Having coins, especially coins you show publicly, that you won't sell could get you the reputation as a guy who only sells second rate coins because you would keep it if it were worth having.

Mine is not what I call an excellent coin but it fits my collection. I would rather have the lefty but mine fills my snake need. I can show it in public without losing customers.

I'm with Q. IF I were a dealer and I had coins I was not willing to sell even to my best customers, I probably would not show them to people who pay my bills (AKA customers). I'm no dealer

and I'm broke anyway.

 

I can empathize with Ken here. It is difficult to let go of some coins if you are a dealer. There's always issues that you come across that fall outside your personal collection (almost all dealers are also collectors) but really appeal to you. It's a tough battle but I nearly always end up selling them. I would go broke if I kept them all, or my wife would kill me ... or both.

@Ken Dorney : If you don't mind my asking what ancient type(s) do you personally collect?

 

If you can't make up your mind, toss the coin and let it decide .

 

Sell it.

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It apparently has profit potential, which is what a dealer buys for. If you have a collection, keep only coins that fit the collection, not other coins with profit potential that can be realized now.

 

If I was a dealer I would sell it. That coin's provenance traced back to you isn't a slight thing.

 

I guess I can only relate with trades I've done. I've regretted trading only the ones I've wanted. I'd say keep it if it had room in your collection