Bargain Over Beauty

$14 from Mortown on ebay


Added on: Nov 6, 2018
Ruler: Antoninus Pius (Augustus)
Coin: VF- Bronze AS
ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XIX - Head of Antoninus Pius, laureate, right
COS IIII S C - Pax, draped, standing left, holding branch, extended in right hand and cornucopiae in left
Exergue:


Mint: Rome (155-156 AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 14.03g / 27mm / 6h
References:

• RIC III 955
• Cohen 257

Acquisition/Sale: mortown Ebay $0.00 11/18
Notes: Nov 6, 18 - The Gary R. Wilson Collection

 

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I was very fortunate to obtain this Rhea Silvia as for a (very) low price - it came from a gentleman who dispersed his collection of over 45 years. He told me he was glad it found a new home with me, and that was more important to him than maximising profit - (I felt honoured).

So, a bargain, yes, and also a beauty.

 

I could probably showcase most of my collection on this thread. Every coin I buy (and I guess it's this way for any ancient collector) is a compromise between price and condition. A couple favorites that are in pretty rough shape, all purchased for ~$20:


Anonymous Double Litra, minted in southern Italy 275 - 270 BC, Crawford 16/1a
Obverse: Bust of Goddess (or Apollo) right, hair bound with ribbon
Reverse: Lion advancing right, ROMANO below
In very rough shape, but still not bad for the type. Purchased from @MarcosX's eBay store.


Marcus Aurelius denarius, minted at Rome in 177 AD, RIC 363
Obverse: M ANTONINVS AVG GERM SARM, laureate head of Aurelius right
Reverse: TR P XXXI IMP XIII COS III PP,pile of arms, DE GERMin exurgue
I love the rough flan of this one. Adds to the charm, even if the strike is a bit soft.


Commodus denarius, minted at Rome in 190 AD, RIC 205
Obverse:M COMM ANT P FEL AVG BRIT P P, laureate bust right
Reverse: APOL MONET P M TR P XV COS VIApollo standing right, r. hand on head, l. arm resting on column.
Not sure if the reverse is worn or just poorly struck, but again it's 'blurry.' Still a rare type with an unusual reverse. I could clean it further, but the dirt helps add contrast...

 

This Probus has it's problems but not a bad eBay pickup for $7.75 ..just arrived this morning.



Well centered with full legends.. and obviously the sins are not as apparent in hand.

 

Funny you should mention that, because I just did that recently. I'll show the coin of interest when the lot arrives and I can show an isolated pic of the thing. Its status is highly questionable, but I could not help but be intrigued. It won't be long, unless U.S. customs wants to challenge the parcel. The other 40 coins or so will be heading out the door in most cases.