"Somewhat" tooled Balbinus Sestertius

Thanks. Very skilled work, and so very worrisome... definitely shows the importance of die studies on large Roman bronzes. (Am I glad my budget doesn't alllow me to go for this kind of thing? Well, I can pretend...)

 

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In 2009, NAC sold a non-tooled Claudius SPES sestertius of this quality for $22K not including buyer's premium. If the Bertolami example were simply smoothed and not tooled, it would hammer for at least $30K today. Bertolami's estimate is 1500 GBP, virtually admitting that their example isn't remotely natural.

 

Just saw the OP coin again:
The same seller who sold it at auction for 2.400 GBP / 3.245 USD in September ist now offering it at a fixed price of 3.690 GBP / 4.936 USD on VCoins. Looks like the winner returned it

 

I wouldn't, JG! I think you'll regret it later on. I think as collectors of ancients we need to show zero tolerance for tooling.

 

As a general rule, sellers of coins are not likely to list a coin as 'tooled' when it was only smoothed. That does not pay well. I suppose there are a number who don't understand the terms but buying 4 digit price coins from sellers who don't know what they are doing is almost as silly as buying a coin labeled 'tooled' and hoping the surfaces are original. There must be a good living to be made tooling rare sestertii judging from the number that show up regularly. I assume the 'masters' who do this work have apprentices who are working on Gordian III coins so I don't take a lot of comfort on a coin being common.

In 500 years will there be a market for coins like this as we see today for original Paduans/Cavinos? The style is not unattractive unless you know what it should look like whereupon it becomes ugly from being wrong. We consider Cavino a great artist of his day so his copies are originals in their own rite. Will this, someday. be a masterpiece of circa 2000 engraving? I say no.

 

Once I bought a gorgeous Hadrian sestertius with a good reverse type that I knew was somewhat tooled. I grew to hate it and sold it (being clear about the tooling) at a big loss.

Doug is wise. Believe him.

I recommend you not buy tooled coins.

 

its been very very heavy tooled..

 

Once a damaged coin, always a damaged coin. I learned that with my US purchases. I have since sold off nearly my entire US type set and started over with that in mind. I have not regretted what I have purchased.

 

Must be this one ? I love it, heavy tooled, smoothed and a fresh coat of patina applied.The face of Diana is so nicely done, The best of the best of my Hadrian sestertius collection

 

OMG !!!

Q

 

I ran across this old thread and see I never answered the question. At the time, maybe I didn't want to show you this mistake.


Yes, the two sides were different colors. I now think the patina was recently applied after extensive tooling. Each side has a really attractive glossy surface (which helps cover up the tooling marks.) I don't know why they didn't color both sides the same. The tooler was highly skilled. It looks like a great coin until you see what the untooled ones look like. The hair is not right. The drapery is not right. When I bought it I thought I could live with the tooling (which the seller did not conceal) in order to get this interesting type. I was wrong. I grew to hate it.

Here is some advice: Even if you don't mind some tooling and appreciate the accompanying price break, listen to those experienced collectors who have been at it longer and avoid tooled coins.

 

If we all avoided tooled coins there would be no market for them and these coins would be left alone.

 

I haven't the slightest idea if that coin is re-sculpted. But, if it magically fell into my lap, ignorance would be bliss. Because it sure is PERTY!!!