New Old Provenance

Common sense tells me that provenance should in essence play no role in my enjoyment (and possibly the value) of a coin.
Substance (i,e the coin itself and its merits) should always prevail.
However, the collector in me says, 'Wait! isn't it exciting to own a coin that an illustrious (famous?) person once owned? That he/she once held it worthy to add to his/her collection?'

And the answer then is, Yes!

Congratulations on your coin!

 

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I believe as numismatists, provenance is as important to a coin as the correct attribution. I get frustrated when auction houses toss out old collector tickets and envelopes. I suppose this comes from my EAC collecting days, but I want to know the history of the coin.

With ancients, that starts with where and when it was minted, why the imagery was choosen, and continues with where this specific coin has been in the intervening years. Was it a hoard coin found in Greece in 1987, or was it a coin that's been in collections since the 1860s. That's part of the history of the coin, and something that adds value for me, just as learning about why some Antoninus Pius sestertius with Felicitas have the cornucopia replaced with a Capricorn.

 

I bought this coin from the Adams family collection. It was not a big enough deal to display in the museum that held it for over a century. It was only a non-pictured coin in a lot of three when auctioned. But, I really liked the provenance. I do not know that I paid a premium when I bought it at a coin show. The provenance did convince me this was the coin to buy that day.

 

A great coin, a stunning provenance, a jealous fellow collector. Trifecta!

 

I have to say DITTO to that.

 

Good humor, yes. but I learned something from friend red_spork that makes perfect sense.........I'll go stand in the corner.

 

I'm taking a 'whippin' dear fellow........Cry Uncle........ I see the light.

 

Ain't that the truth Brother...........

 

btw The importance of provenance in antiquities keeps growing. I remember when the feds grabbed the first krater in 2008. I did not know that G Medici had kept such detailed records. If you read the article, they mention a couple things seized from a Manhattan gallery also. I am pretty sure it is the gallery I frequent.

Ancient Vase Seized From Met Museum on Suspicion It Was Looted NY Times

https://nyti.ms/2uen7Kj