Birthday purchases (criticism encouraged)

So yesterday was the big 50, and a favorite auction site had an auction that ended today. Naturally that means new purchases for me. Below is what I bought and my semi-rational reason for buying them.

First is one I already owned, but a better example. I just posted it in a follow up on another thread.



Sicily Akragas

After a series of other single coins I lost out on, feeling a little bummed, I went a little more aggressive on the lots.


This is a Greek lot of 19 coins. Less than $100, and I bought it because I always like the Perseus and severed head Medusa Amisos coins, (though I own quite a few by now).


This group, also less than $100, I got because of the Elagabalus Sidon stone coin peeking out at 2 O Clock, I am always a sucker for Elagabalus coins with pics of holy stones.

 

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Happy birthday and those are nice presents to yourself!

 

The last three are similar:

These are all groups of Parthian bronze coins. When I started collecting a poor little Parthian silver was one of my first purchases. For over a decade I never saw ANY Parthian bronzes for sale at any price. If it weren't for Sellwood, I wouldn't know they existed. I now have a few, but what was I to do when presented such large groups? NOT buy them? One group has 27, one 28, and the last group has 28 coins. All for well less than $15 a coin.

Anyway, that is my confession. Criticisms welcome. I know I lean too much on group lots. Its an addiction, its true.

 

Half a Century old fellow? Congrats.

 

Nice coins and happy belated birthday.

 

Can we call you 'Doc' yet?

 

Happy belated birthday I'm about 6 years away from that milestone myself.

That first coin is a very nice example. I think there are some nice ones in the lot. I buy a few lots from time to time to pick nicer pieces from.

 

No, not yet sir, Being lazy writing the dissertation. Life, small children, and an old war injury acting up getting in the way.

 

I think you got many interesting coins to add to your hoard! Some are a bit rough but a lot look really interesting.

 

Happy birthday @medoraman ! I'm not quite 50 yet, but I can see it from here....at least if I put my glasses on.

That Sicily coin is awesome, cool crab/eagle combo...plus it looks like it is really THICK. That's a coin fetish of mine for sure!

That lot looks like fun also!

 

Happy Birthday! Great purchases! I love the Medusa Amisos coins but alas I do not own one yet.. I have been looking for awhile. Maybe that should be my gift to myself when I join you in the Half Century Club... 3 more months for me..

Just last weekend I was replacing some siding on my house and my 17 year old daughter asked "why are you putting money into the house .. aren't you about to retire??" .. I snapped back with "what are you talking about? I'm still in my 40's"..
... she replied with "barely..lol"

I guess I came off as defensive..

 

Happy Birthday

 

Happy Big 5-0, @medoraman! Nice additions to the hoard. I especially like the Akragas bronze with the clear Ionic capital... I was very tempted to bid on it!

I don't have a birthday coin to show, but my win from the Triskeles auction is certainly birthday appropriate. It's a very rare bronze of Julia Domna from Nicaea showing baby Dionysos partying in his crib.


JULIA DOMNA
AE14. 2.6g, 14mm. Bithynia, Nicaea, circa AD 193-217. RecGen 371. O: IOVΛIA CEBACTH, draped bust right. R: NIKAIEΩN, Infant Dionysos reclining right on liknon (winnowing basket), arms raised; thyrsos behind.

 

Happy birthday!! and I see 2 very nice Amisos coins, the Amisos coin next to the Medusa one looks like it is with a quiver and unstrung bow, these are quite uncommon.

 

Happy birthday, Chris & nice lots. They'd be fun to go through.

 

Happy Birthday! It looks like you did very well with your Birthday lots.

 

Happy B'day @medoraman !
I have to start thinking what I might get for my 60 though (I have 2 years to think about it)

Q

 

Happy birthday, medoraman! I think those lots are great - its about my favorite way to buy ancients, and your new ones look like they will provide hours of attribution fun.

 

happy bday. be good to yourself

 

Good wishes, medoraman. Will you be hiding those Greek coins in your cake ???