Box o' Mystery

As you can see, there's a bigger Trajan bronze in that "these are the better coins" bundle that came loose. I have not photographed it or taken a good look at it yet. I can tell it has some greenish patina in spots and is probably not high grade.

I've seen at least one or two sestertìi. I've only examined one of them closely so far, because it leaped out at me, you might say. (You'll see why when I post the picture. It's the only one I've photographed this afternoon.)

But I'm not sure I should go stampeding into the "good coins" and "better ones" bundles right off the bat? Maybe that would be too much of a spoiler?

 

I did notice the lack of rust on the staples and the freshness of the rubber bands, so perhaps not everything is 40-50 years old as I have guessed. However, I seriously doubt my own family members are "setting this up as a test" for me. You can tell by the musty "old book" smell that most of the contents of this box have been around for a while. Perhaps in a dry environment. I also think it was taken to another collector or dealer in more recent years for an appraisal or opinion, which would account for the newer rubber bands and notes and such. (I think I saw a note about "appraised by so-and-so" in there somewhere, but no date. Again, I've only given a cursory look so far.)

 

Figured I'd have fun with it, so as to dread the chore-like aspects of it a bit less.

 

Ah, but remember, it's a lot of work for a lot of coins that I technically do not own.

Working up my own stuff can be a chore, even. But it's a labor of love.

Here's one I hinted at last night. Really jumped out at me.





But ...

 

Alas, no- not this one.

 

Here's that bundle.

I see a Nemausus croc. Cool. Looks like a Nero got labeled as Trajan, maybe. Sorry, I know this photo is horrid.

This is just one bundle. The one that had the note saying "These are the better ones".