E-bay purchase...

OK, OK, OK...I know it is dangerous to buy coins on e-bay, but I got these for cheap... Don't see anything glaringly fake about them, but would like to get the take from the experts here.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

They look fine, but they have been polished. As long as you are happy with them...

 

Hey, after 2,000+ years I'll probably need some polishing too...

 

Heck, I thought that was OK with you 'dark side' guys.

 

Kentucky, these coins have been abused in ancient times with test cuts & bankers marks, & they have been abused in modern time with over cleaning & deep scratches. Aim a little higher on your next purchase. It's better to have one good example instead of a lot of culls.

 

We do that on the 'other side' too.........

 

Out of curiosity, how much does the first one weigh?

 

As far as I'm concerned, Kentucky can collect whatever he wants. We don't know motivations. I once bought this slug for $5 because I wanted students to feel how big and heavy a sestertius was and couldn't afford one that showed much detail. Don't regret it.

 

I agree, everyone has different collecting priorities The key thing is to not get duped into paying good $$$ for forgeries. I still remember when someone felt they got a good deal paying $3000US for a Balbinus Aureus (which is worth an extra two zeros Then there was a experienced collector who paid 300K for a Ahenobarbus Aureus in 1989 from NFA Auction.

 

15 g (rounded).

 

You have scary good coins, I just wanted an Athenian Owl and these two popped up. One of them only cost $12.99

 

Thanks for the weight. I wrote and deleted a long post because I don’t want to be “that guy”, so I won’t. For $12.99 what is there to worry about anyway? Enjoy your new coins.

 

Like the 'pups'........

 

Thank you for reminding me. This one keeps begging for attention.

 

If you want to have a common yet historic coin and don’t want to pay the hype premium, this is certainly the way to go. I’d have bought them.

 

I would have paid $13 for any of them. I think you did fine.

 

I think those are lovely Owls, Kentucky, and I would've happily added them to my collection for that price.

As for aiming higher, that's fine if you have the money for it. One of the things I like about ancients is how time, and abuse, adds a layer of not only crud, but interest. For me anyway.

Here is a recent example of my bottom-feeding. It was a Carthage horse head AE from a $10.98 in a "buy it now" eBay auction. Its problems are obvious, but for me these are outweighed by a wonderful depiction of the horse head, gross casting sprues and interesting, if uneven, surfaces. It even comes with a palm tree. Nicer examples abound for 5-10 times what I paid, but I was delighted with this one (for example Agora Auctions sold one for $97.00, with a better centered obverse, but of a poorer style with iffy surfaces similar to mine).



Zeugitania, Carthage Æ 20
(c. 264-241 B.C.)
Sardinian Mint
Head of Tanit left, with barley wreath, triple-pendant earring and necklace / Horse's head right, palm tree to right.
SNG Cop 173; MAA 57l.
(5.43 grams / 20 mm)

 

Some of my motivation is to have some "iconic" ancient coins without the high cost. Even damaged, they have a sense of history I find exciting.

 

I have a bunch of those. I always liked Carthaginian coins. Interesting how Rome just wiped them off the face of the earth. So then were even rare 2100 years ago.

 

Side question...since these are not exactly...ehem...pristine, would slabbing them to prove authenticity do any good? Which company would be best, cheapest, what would be the cost? Finally, although I have the opinions of the mavens here (which is sufficient for me) what options are open to assure authenticity?