Hey everybody, It's been a while since I posted anything from the bro. He was originally saving up to go to college. But, after some serious thought, he decided not to go. So, with some of the money he saved, he bought some crazy sweet coinage and artifacts. I'm going to use mostly seller photos because my pics suck. :/ First up, the famous daric. Bro liked the goofy face: Next up is a man faced bull, totally sweet: Here's a nice hockey puck, 42 mm and 71.86 g: Last coin for now is his smallest, 3.9 mm and 0.09g. It said that this was a 1/48th EL stater, but based on the size, we think it might actually be a 1/96th stater. If anybody has any ideas, we would appreciate hearing them! He also got a couple artifacts. Proto Syrian head fragment: Roman Terracotta Theater ticket: He also has a cuneiform envelope with a tablet inside on the way too! Good for him! Feel free to post anything. Erin
Those are some cool coins and artifacts, Erin. To date, I don’t have any non coin ancient memorabilia. I contemplated purchasing an ancient oil lamp about a year ago. Your post may inspire me to follow through on that.
It might inspire me to buy an oil lamp as well. Years ago, my wife and I were watching a TV show about ancient artifacts and they showed a store selling oil lamps. At the time, I thought it might be a righteously cool artifact to buy. After all, the activities people did under the dim light of a small oil lamp are almost as fascinating as thinking about a coin's lifetime while in general circulation. Like coins, the thought of buying a fake stopped me. Great thread starter @Johndakerftw ....and. @Deacon Ray, I hope you pull the trigger too.
I believe from past posts @Ken Dorney has some good advice and authenticity on Oil Lamps... There may be other folks expertise whom might chime in. BTW @Johndakerftw : WOW on your Brother! Cool schtuff! Lovem ALL!
Hmm, a very cool haul (Daric? Fabulous! Chunky Ptolemy? Yeah!) but I have mixed feelings about these items vs. college. Also, the MFB looks unusually perfectly round. @Nicholas Molinari, what say you about her bro's MFB? Is it okay?
I dont like to chime in when someone is looking for a specific item as it might feel like I am advertising my wares for sale, but as I dont have and lamps at the moment feel free to PM me with any link to a prospective buy. I can do my best for authenticity check, and properly attribute them for you.
The little one does not look like electrum in the photo. Is that the photo? As far as college goes, I feel it is a terrible place for people who don't want to be there.
Thanks for the replies, everyone. Regarding my brother's choice not to attend college: It was a matter of how successful he would be with the mental illnesses that he has. He and I both had a lot of help when we were in school, which wouldn't be available at the college level. Also, he's been out of school for 10 years and it would be a huge adjustment for him that he felt might be a bit too much. His decision had nothing to do with the coins or artifacts. He knows himself well, so I supported him in whatever decision he was going to make. The MFB was bought from one of Frank Robinson's auctions, so, I think we're pretty safe. Oil lamps are awesome! I'd love to get one some day too. I forgot to mention that it's actually a fourree EL stater. Erin
I am very sorry to hear this. The university where I teach has many resources for "special needs" individuals. I agree. But I would add that it is a wonderful place for those who do want to be there.
When first I saw the MFB, I thought "fake". I can't say why. Perhaps it is the roundness. But since I am no expert on these and far from it, I decided I would wait until others remarked about it. Seeing as how it was purchased from Frank alleviates some of my fears, but I would like to hear from @Nicholas Molinari as well.
This is a decision that can of course be reversed at any time. Universities can be intimidating places for some and challenging for some. I taught until recently at a Junior or Community College (2 year) in California. One of the benefits of these colleges is the amount of extra help they offer to the students. If either of you decide to test the waters, a semester at a Community College might be something that could change your life for the better.
@Ken Dorney i will take you up on the offer when I decide to buy, and don't see it as advertising at all. Offering to help is a far cry from trying to push your wares on anyone. In my not so humble opinion, we lost our way educationally when college became the barometer of pass or fail for everyone. Statistics vary, but somewhere between 20-30% of Americans have a bachelors degree. So, that means our education system failed 70-80% of students - a total crock. Not everyone needs to, or wants to go to college, and that should be just fine. But, far too often, educators use the "college, or bust" theory, and that's a shame.
Erin, I want to qualify what I said earlier. It sounded very elitist. As others have pointed out, college isn't everything and it isn't the right path for everyone. I have many friends who did not go to college... one of whom is probably the most brilliant, happy, and successful person I know. One of my oldest and dearest friends, also very happy and successful, didn't even finish high school.
No worries, TIF. It can be easily misunderstood that my brother chose coins over education if the reasons aren't explained. My brother is very intelligent and would excel intellectually, it's just the social issues and anxiety he's not quite ready to challenge yet. It may still be in his future. I have intellectual issues, along with social issues. School wasn't a great success for me. I appreciate the help I received, I just didn't suit the structure very well. My sister sailed through school and was always at the top of her class. But, she didn't ignore her brother and sister. She helped us a great deal, even though she was two grades behind me. But, we do get to learn a great deal by the coins and artifacts. So, not all is lost when it comes to continuing our education. Erin
Those are some really great coins! Congrats to your brother! If your brother has a desire for learning college material but wants to avoid the social obligations that come with attending class then online classes might be a good option. In grad school I was working full time so I was offered to take several classes as "distance" AKA online and I found that I really didn't miss anything from not being physically in class. I agree with all those who have commented that college isn't everything. The most successful person I know didn't finish college and he makes more than anyone else I know and gets to set his own schedule!
College isn't for everyone immediately following high school. When I graduated from HS—I lacked the emotional maturity to concentrate on my studies. I was on the ropes by mid year and nearly flunked out. I managed to recover eventually and was able to stick it out but I think I would have done better to work for a couple of years before college. I've recently completed some online college classes and it was great fun—after it was all over of course