Help to Identify Coin

I need help with the identification of this coin (and what it is worth more or less). Thanks.

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here's a description

Constantinopolis Commemorative
A.D. 333-335
Obv. CONSTAN-TINOPOLIS laureate, helmeted, wearing imperial mantle, holding scepter.
Rev. Victory stg. on prow, holding long scepter in r. hand, and resting l. hand on shield.
In ex. SMALA
RIC VII Alexandria 64

my page on these coins-
http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/comm/

in the condition it's in, it's worth a couple of bucks, maybe as high as 10-15

 

Here's mine, your coin was minted in Alexandria mintmark SMALA

 

These are common and relatively cheap in decent condition. This one, struck at Constantinople, cost me $23.

CONSTANTINOPOLIS COMMEMMORATIVE
AE3/4
OBVERSE: CONSTANTINOPOLI, laureate, helmeted & mantled bust left holding scepter
REVERSE: Victory standing left, foot on prow with sceptre and leaning on shield, CONS Gamma in ex.
Struck at Constantinople, 330-33AD
2.2g, 15mm
RIC VII 63

 

You guys are quick. Thank you for the informative replies. It is of great help.

 

Mine

 

I have a few...

 

Thanks again. I've previously decided to focus on Roman coins and specifically Constantine and his sons - so I find your website highly informative.

I don't own the above coin yet. I am hoping to pick it up at a local auction for $5.

My Constantine and sons coins so to speak include these at this stage:

The photos do it no justice, but this is one of my favorites...

It cost me just South of $200 - did I overpay?


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I've paid $25 for the following one at a local auction... here are the auction photos (which again, do the coin no justice - it looks much better in hand) - Did I overpay?

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I've paid $7 for this one in a local auction. Again auction photos. I don't have this one in hand yet...

Did I overpay? Any advice, tips or recommendations will be highly appreciated. Thanks.​

 

More photos of the Nummus with she-wolf & twins...

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Very nice one.

 

Wow!

 

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Yes, tremendously-- although depending on your overall budget and the relatively cheap prices of these things, it probably isn't going to wreck you financially

The images are through plastic and are dark, so it's hard to say much about the coin. NGC labeled it "Mint State" ("Mint State" is not really a term used by collectors of ancient coins, except for those who focus on slabbed ancient coins), but I assume it's a fairly nice example of the type.

In observing sales from the thankfully few auction houses which insist upon slabbing their ancient coins, it seems that any ancient coin with a "MS" label is guaranteed to sell for a premium without regard to any other factor such as rarity, availability, style, etc.

To determine if you paid a reasonable price you will need to hunt for similar coins (the same types of coins in similar condition and style) and see what they brought, sometimes disregarding outliers.

Here are some good places to find such information:

CNG's archives

ACsearch (you need a paid subscription to see hammer prices)

For late Roman bronzes such as the coins you showed, eBay is a good place to look for comps. Use their "Advanced Search" option.

You can also check Vcoins for currently available "retail" listings.

CoinTalk member @YOC has and has sold numerous very high quality examples of this type of coin and other late Roman bronzes. YOC: can you post some examples of those along with the sales price, for the benefit of @silverbullion and others? That reminds me... one of these days I want to by one YOC's lovely high grade LRBs!

 

Thank you for the thorough response. Much appreciated.

Do you personally buy all your ancient coins unslabbed? The reason why I bought that slabbed one is because I was after a genuine and high grade one. The fact that I reside in South Africa of course doesn't help.

P.S. It is tough to be a newbie.

 

Yeah, ancients are definitely more challenging than collecting mass-produced and virtually identical modern coins! It is definitely worth the effort though So you paid too much for a common late Roman bronze-- we've all paid too much for coins now and then, whether beginning collector or not. It's probably a nice coin (again, difficult to see anything in those pictures) so I hope this doesn't impair your enjoyment of the coin.

I've overpaid for some and acquired others for bargain prices. I think and hope it all evens out. Sometimes you simply have to pay more than expected or desired for a coin that speaks to you.

Most of my coins were not in slabs when purchased. The few that were in slabs were quickly relieved of that obstruction to full enjoyment

 

Just say no to the slab. Its an easy addiction to cleanse yourself from.
Unlike modern coins ancient coins like to be touched sometimes bathed.
Don't waste you money on a slab, use that money to buy mor ancients.

 

I hate to admit it, but you're right. More coins couldn't hurt.

Do you have any tips when it comes to storage? What is your favorite source for ancients?

 

True, ancients seem to be in a class of their own. Modern coins are nice to have, but ancients - given the historical connection - are definitely the better deal for me personally. That is why I decided to get in. I've already burned myself, but I suppose it could have been worse.

Beyond a complete lack of sleep (borderline insomnia) and overpaying, I still enjoy the "caged" she-wolf and twins.

 

Silverbullion—I took your images into Photoshop and played with the contrast.

 

Yes you overpaid for the URBS Roma

 

To each their own but mylar or cardboard flips work well.
Some put them in velvet lined trays.