Which Aureus is the more desirable one? Also, what’s a fair price for these coins?

This is another help me pick my next aureus thread: which one is the better coin? (Wish I could get both). Also, what’s a fair price for either?

 

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Well those are two very different coins! It's hard to say which one is "better" because they both look good. I like the higher grade and fine style of the first one, along with the fact that it is plated and provenanced. The second one is older and has good character. They both have problems, and I guess my decision would come down to how badly each problem bothered me. Overall, I'd probably go with the Commodus.

As for price, I couldn't tell you.

 

I'm partial to Augustus because that is the area of my collecting interests. It all comes down to your collecting interests and which coin actually meets your desirability. I have no idea for price since I cannot or will not pay the prices for gold coins.

 

Augustus for me, hands down.

 

Augustus for me too particularly as this could be the start or part of your 12 Caesars aureus collection!

 

That's a tough choice! The Commodus aureus has a great provenance, while the Augustus aureus is a plate coin.

I really don't know the relative rarity between the two coins, and I guess Augustus carries more weight, but I really like the obverse of the Commodus aureus, other things being equal, which of course they are not.

I do see a faint scratch on the Commodus aureus, graded MS, which I assume is the graffito NGC is referring to, but it doesn't seem to be distracting. The Augustus aureus' edge marks are hard to see, but I assume that they are not connected to jewelry use.

I lean towards the Commodus aureus which is a very appealing coin grade-wise, but the Augustus aureus is probably more important historically.

As for price, Roman aurei are way out of my league, and prices have really shot up. My only example, a "raw" Trajan aureus in VF-ish grade, purchased through MA Shops, which cost me $4,307.06 (not including postage) in February 2025. Hope that helps.

 

These are both premium coins - wish I was rich! The Commodus last sold Roma XXIII for £26K. Augustus I couldn't find, a similar coin (not as nice) was €12K last year from Kunker 419. Commodus is in super shape, Augustus more interesting.. First world problems right..

Added: 'Fair' price is hard to say. My feeling is the buyer at Roma overpaid, since it was $17K at CNG in the previous outing. Probably $25K would be a ballpark figure for either of them. Enjoy your decision!

 

Would the Commodus aureus be considered a plate coin as well? Not sure what they mean by Biaggi 1016 "(this coin)"

 

Yes, that Commodus aureus appears to be a Biaggi plate coin.

Here's a link with some past sales prices for that aureus:

https://en.numista.com/catalogue/past_sales.php?id=265155

 

These are beautiful coins indeed! I would need to move out some coins that I'm not that in to to make room for these. They have been on sale for quite some time though so I recon there's room to bargain. It would be nice to be able to swing both! So many coins, so little....money

 

That is a great pick-up on that Trajan aureus! Prices have been inching upwards lately

 

Both are amazing coins, but if not to speak about price, I would prefer Commodus.