I purchased only 2 ancient coins this past month (May). One was a Byzantine for less than $30 total out of pocket, and one was a real special Roman that was more than $30 but under $100 total out of pocket. My recent entry into retirement comes with my coin purchases dropping from 4 or 5 per month down to 1 or 2 (max) per month. Plus, the total out-of-pocket per coin has also dropped. :-( I’m now necessarily in full resistance mode to the temptation to even consider coins in the triple-digits and upwards. Those days are gone for me. (But they were fun!!!) Thankfully, in the double-digit range, there are MANY very nice ancient coins that are worthy of inclusion into any collection. Since my world is now in the double-digits, I wanted to share a lovely, scarce, significant (to my collecting theme) coin I recently bought for under $100 total. And at the same time also kick-off a thread to see what else is being purchased these days in the less-than-$100 price range. Below is the Roman I mentioned above: Although the Chi-Rho began to appear increasingly often on coins in the decades after Constantine I, it exists on only a few types from Constantine's reign. p.s.: As a special bonus this little jewel was purchased through our own @Victor_Clark who knows more about Christian emblems on Roman coins than anyone. Let’s see your recent lovely additions that fit your fancy without breaking the $100 barrier including shipping, handling, insurance, buyer’s fees, tax-title-&-license.
This coin was under $5 in uncleaned condition. After I had cleaned it I couldn't find a reference for it. Helvetica declared it to be only the second known. It is listed as shown below. Constantius II, AE follis, Cyzicus. AD 335-336. FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS, two soldiers holding spears and shields with two standards between them. Mintmark star SMKA. RIC VII Cyzicus 113 var (officina); notinric 7cyz113. Rated R4. Contributed by David Zachmeyer, Feb. 2020
I am still very weak in this endeavor. I don't see a Star prefix in that reference. My coin is listed in Wildwinds. Can you give me more info on the relationship between the different databases? Thanks for the feedback.
I have attached a screenshot with the stars (or asterisks) circled. You also have to understand that this issue struck in six workshops and the author of RIC only had access to famous collections, museums, or hoard info. Even though RIC only notes three workshops; the other three were to be expected. This whole series for all the rulers is very rare according to RIC; but in the decades since it was published, numerous examples have turned up; many of which have surely not been uploaded to the internet.
I brought these 8 coins today for 20 GBP that's about 27 us dollars. I brought them from a online charity shop they was donated to them by family of a man who passed away . They was listed as old copper coins so I could see a Spanish cobb coin from about 1600 but not sure on the others but look to have some age but for but for just over 2 GBP per coin it was worth a shot . These are the only pictures I have until they arrive.
I brought these 8 coins today for 20 GBP that's about 27 us dollars. I brought them from a online charity shop they was donated to them by family of a man who passed away . They was listed as old copper coins so I could see a Spanish cobb coin from about 1600 but not sure on the others but look to have some age but for but for just over 2 GBP per coin it was worth a shot . These are the only pictures I have until they arrive.
I brought these 8 coins today for 20 GBP that's about 27 us dollars. I brought them from a online charity shop they was donated to them by family of a man who passed away . They was listed as old copper coins so I could see a Spanish cobb coin from about 1600 but not sure on the others but look to have some age but for but for just over 2 GBP per coin it was worth a shot . These are the only pictures I have until they arrive.
I think I gave $50 for both. They were some of my first ancients. Only bought them because they were in such good condition. I wasn't collecting anything but some "ancients". Cornelia Denarius 76-75 BC M. Volteius Denarius 78 BC
I went to Chicago for a conference this week and was able to make it to the Harlan Berk coin shop. I only have a handful of Roman coins that I still need for my collection, so understandably, while having a rather large inventory they didn't have many coins from which I could choose. I ended up buying this Carus Antoninianus for exactly $100: In my opinion, $100 for that coin is a bit of a rip-off. But I figured I may never get back to Chicago again, plus a bunch of my workmates surprisingly showed up at the shop to see what I was doing and they were pretty cool about the hassle..... so I figured I should probably buy something . It also re-enforces my resolve for buying coins from auctions rather than from dealers.... I much prefer when my price is dictated by another buyer than from a profit-motivated price tag. (Aaron wasn't there so haggling was apparently disallowed) They did show me the antiquities room while I was there though, and they have some really cool things (Bust of Titus, painted Egyptian casket, ancient daggers, etc). I also paid $100 for this little glass jar that they described as 1st century Roman. I have no idea whether that is a fair price or not, but it's the only non-coin ancient thing that I own and I'm very satisfied to have bought it:
Ancient coin collecting doesn't have to be expensive! Nicely toned Classical Greek silver, ex BCD Collection, for $80: THESSALY, TRIKKA AR Hemidrachm (15.98mm, 2.96g, 3h) Struck 440-400 BC Obverse: Thessalos, petasos and cloak tied at neck, holding band around head of forepart of bull to right Reverse: Τ-ΡΙ-Κ-AΙO-Ν, forepart of bridled horse to right, all within incuse square References: BCD Thessaly II 769 var. (ethnic), HGC 4, 311 Toned and well-centered. From the BCD Collection. A particularly well struck Hellenistic Greek bronze from Syracuse, $34: SICILY, SYRACUSE Time of Agathokles, 317-289 BC AE (15.51mm, 4.10g, 7h) Struck 317-310 BC Obverse: Head of Kore left; dolphin in front, ear of corn behind Reverse: Bull butting left; monogram above, ΣΥPAKOΣIΩN in exergue References: CNS II 109/Ds95 Dark glossy patina with mineral deposits. A nice sharp Gallienus "Zoo series" antoninianus, $41: GALLIENUS, AD 253-268AE Antoninianus (20.20mm, 2.96g, 6h) Struck AD 267-8. Rome mint Obverse: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate bust of Gallienus right Reverse: DIANAE CONS AVG, antelope standing right, XI in exergue References: RIC V.1 181k, subtype 1; RCV 10200; ERIC II 439 Sharp portrait and reverse with some areas of flatness. Dark patina. An overall attractive specimen.
Here's a decent denarius of Faustina I, in VF-ish condition, which I purchased last month for $45. Faustina I, denarius, Rome, 140 AD. Cohen 234 3.15 grams
This cost me 73 Euros at auction, with buyers premium (14 Euros) and shipping (15 Euros) total cost was 102 Euros SEVERUS ALEXANDER. Denarius. 231 AD. Rome mint. Obv/ IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev/ P M TR P X COS III P P, Sol, radiate, standing left, nude except for cloak over left shoulder, holding globe and raising right hand in salute. Cat: RIC 109D; RSC 411 Silver (Ar) 3,3g - 21mm
