What is your opinion on broken coins, are they still as collectible or are avoided due to the diminished value? I own a few broken coins, mostly silver ones that broke due to crystallization over time. The Crystalization occurs due to the leaching of the impurities (lead, copper) out of the coin into the soul, leaving the coin porous and brittle. Here is my latest addition, also my first attic weight tetradrachm (almost). SELEUKID Syria Demetrios I Soter, 162-150 BC. Tetradrachm (silver, 14.83 g, 31 mm) Antioch. Diademed head right within wreath. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY Tyche seated left on backless throne with winged tritoness support, holding sceptre and cornucopia; And a complete drachm of the same king Demetrios I Soter, 162-150 BC. Drachm (silver, 4.11 g, 18 mm), Antioch on the Orontes. Diademed head of Demetrios I to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗTΡΙΟΥ ΣΩTHPOΣ Cornucopia to right. I do wonder where the other piece of the broken coin is, as it seems to have broken not too long ago. Would have been a simple repair job.
I would tend to avoid broken coins myself, but... given they've got the same history as their unbroken counterparts, and can be had for a fraction of the price, I'm glad there's someone who appreciates them. I've been known to have a sideline collection of holed coins, so I can't really fault you for having a broken one! Besides, the condition is otherwise very nice, and it has a nice portrait.
Other than naturally broken coins, I also have a few Indo-scythian coins that were cut in half or quarters during their usage, probably to serve as change. Also yes, it's lucky that the break missed all of the main features on the coin, so nothing crucial lost other than a bit of the border (and some silver)
