Ancient and Medieval Coins Canada - First Auction

You know, Jamesicus had been talking about the best way to disperse his collection, and that prompted me to consider that very matter. I'd prefer to bequeath my collection to an institution that might care for them, but we've all discussed how some institutions are either ill equipped to do so, or really can't be bothered.

I've considered selling at auction to be a last resort. But the more I think about days like today, perhaps selling at auction is actually a very good way of finding "homes" for coins. Buyers--even budget buyers--have some skin in the game. They want these coins. This whole thread is full of people appreciating the opportunity to be custodians of these coins for a while.

At any rate, I don't mind losing that London Sol since it went to someone who had a real desire for it.

 

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Even with the hole?

 

I have to say that I enjoyed your auction better than probably any that I've been a participant. The layout was just right, and the starting prices were perfect. I didn't win anything only because I was trying to buy cheap. That will not happen in Auction 2. Congratulations on your success.

 

Yea, it doesn't bother me too much... I like a little wear and history to my coins.

 

There once was a big name coin dealer who was told he must have made a small fortune in coins. He replied that it was true that he made a small fortune but it was made easier having started with a large fortune. Certainly there are coin dealers who have made a good living but I doubt many of them have accounted fully for the time/effort expended in the process.

I was interested in the pick bin concept because of the number of coins I have that would not sell well in any other format. Is the winner here the post office which gets round trip payment for unsold coins? I wonder if the results would have been better if tried by an established seller and if the new sale with new rules and new (to many of us) ways of bidding caused confusion and resulted in fewer bids or, as I suspect, there just are not all that many people looking to pay any money for coins they can not brag about. I did not participate in the pick bin because I looked at my collection and saw too many pick bin quality coins already. I started buying them long ago. We see many, many beginner posts here on CT that strike me as being from people who should be interested in pick bin coins but they prefer Otho/Pertinax/tetradrachm level coins which have at best a 50-50 chance of being genuine. The hobby has changed since I started.

I hope anyone here who bought pick bin coins will post them and tell us why you thought they were special to you.

 

I’ll bite. Perhaps this is a legitimate “pick bin” coin, though it would certainly be on the higher end of such a designation. It has got a little wear, but is still very attractive. When I talk about the AENEID with students, I talk about the Roman virtue of PIETAS, that untranslatable mixture of religious piety, devotion to family, and patriotism. I actually refer to this very coin type, even including an image of it on a slide. But I’ve never owned one. This was a bit of an impulse live bidding buy, and at 24 Canadian, I can’t complain. I can live with the weakly struck reverse image because the word PIETAS is so sharp, and that’s what I want to talk to students about. Every bidder has his or her own motivation. It’s not all about FDC investment coins. I hope the underbidder is comforted by knowing that this coin is going to get a lot of mileage in my classroom.

 

Here’s another one from the so-called pick bin. But man, look at the eye appeal of this coin. I consider myself above all to be a Constantine collector, and I know this reverse type is common. But those earthen fills really make those details pop. I bought it because I collect Constantine, and I simply thought this coin was a beauty. It’s got a lot going on with field marks too, which is an interesting and quirky aspect of LRBs. The coin went for the minimum bid. I hope the consignor will be consoled knowing that this Constantine collector loves it.

 

I posted this in TIF's thread but since everyone is posting here I'll do it again. Not a pick bin coin but the price was. $59 CDN all in, including shipping! How can you beat that?



Domitian AR Denarius.
IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P V
laureate head right.

IMP XI COS XII CENS P P P
Minerva standing left, holding thunderbolt and spear; shield at feet to right.
86AD. Rome
3.4g, 20.1mm

RIC II 429. (C)
Anyone care to share provenance on it?

I agree with Doug here. New collectors really should stop scouring ebay and stick to auctions like this with pick bins. You get great deals, genuine coins and you build relationships with other like minded collectors. Looking forward to the next one.

Will unsold lots be made available at opening bid prices? I'd be curious to see what wasn't sold.

 

Great first auction... it was a little too close to Christmas for me to bid too much. One of my bids did hold as I picked up this Gordian III for $20.. pretty excited.
I bid on this coin because I do not have one for this ruler - although I have been looking for awhile - they are usually very reasonable but this price was excellent. I also really liked the AETERNITATI AVG reverse legend - which is also a first for my collection.
I look forward to getting the coin in hand and learning more about it.

*When the date is announced for the next auction I will start to put a few bucks away and take a run at a few more.. excellent experience.




Gordian III (238-244), AR Denarius, issued 240. Rome, 2.78g, 19mm.
Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG; laureate bust right.
Rev: AETERNITATI AVG, Sol stg. right, head left, with upraised hand and holding globe

 

Once I was told that an ancient coin, like the one you won, even with a hole has a historical and numismatic value. Enjoy your coin, it has a beautiful Augustus head and the price you paid is truly unbeatable. Congrats

 

I've been attempting to consolidate my Greek collection into higher end examples, whilst minimizing my duplicates. The coin below is my current placeholder for all "In the name of Alexander" tetradrachms. I still have yet to sell the other 12 or 13 that I have.


I'm beginning to feel like Wendy from Peter Pan. Seeing all of my orphans (Macedonian tet, Julia Domna denarius, Alexander tet, and Gordian III denarius) going to good homes. Glad a lot of the coins went to CT members.

Michael

 

...and a most worthy placeholder it is. Wow!

I'm still glad you decided to sell the one that I got, and can't wait to hold it in hand. And you may rest assured: this particular orphan will have a good new home.

 

The consignor is really pleased that it’s going to a appreciative new owner, and also that you picked it up for a great price!

 

Don’t look at me to beat it! I bought this one at FSR 100 in May 2017. This and others were let go not because I didn’t like them, but because I needed to recycle some cash for other coin purchases, like the ones I picked up in AMCC 1... I’m glad it’s going to a Flavian enthusiast!

 

I also think that one is very special. There's just something about that banker's mark...

Well said, Gavin!

Thank you!

Well, you'll presumably still be pleased to know that there is no hole. That's just the remains of a mount. (Possibly removable.)

It may be hard to find another auction with a pick bin until AMCC 2... coming in the spring. (Sorry you will have to wait so long, but I do have a day job! In the meantime, anyone thinking of selling coins & joining in the fun, please send me a pm.)

My (new, just decided today) policy on unsolds is that they are available at 120% of the starting price. This covers my 120% price guarantee to my consignors. (But I'm also happy to forward offers to them.) To find them you'll have to browse the auction, though, at least for now. If there's a lot of interest I could maybe post a list in this thread later this week.

Hmmm. I wonder what you could do with those?

 

That seems fair and should encourage bidding in the auction rather than waiting until afterwards to scavenge unsold bargains-- not that I think anyone here purposefully held back to pick up lots afterwards.

 

I would encourage you to do so. I think most of the unsold lots selling at 120% will sell. Thanks again for taking the time do do the auction. I hope you continue and then you will become my favorite dealer!

 

Congrats for the auction! Easy check out and payment process.I think you are gonna have a lot of work next few days with the shipping! Just sad I missed the Nutella coin....I haven’t notice it....

 

I snagged that fun little piece of whimsy, prebidding after Finn235 pointed it out earlier in this thread .

 

And with very low starting bids as they were, it makes sense to have unsold lots sold for 120% of that price

Q