A Question I don't think I've Ever Asked

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Bing, Aug 13, 2019.

  1. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Let me preface this by saying I don't remember ever asking the value of a coin. But I have my reasons for asking in this thread that I will disclose later. Remember, I'm asking for fair market value not a price tag. And I do understand value is in the mind (and pocketbook) of the buyer.

    I recently purchased this coin because I love the style. Okay! I blame members here for showing coins of this type which made me want to purchase this example.

    ANONYMOUS_ROMAN_REPUBLICAN_3.jpg
    ANONYMOUS ROMAN REPUBLIC
    AR Didrachm
    OBVERSE: Helmeted head of Mars left, oak-sprig behind
    REVERSE: ROMANO on tablet below head of bridled horse right, ear of wheat behind
    Struck at Metapontum, 280-276 BC
    19 mm, 6.55g
    Cr13/1, Syd 1

    Location Metaponto, Province of Matera, Basilicata, Italy
    Region Magna Graecia
    Founded Between 700 and 690 BCE
    Periods Archaic Greece to Roman Empire


    Though Metapontum was an ancient Greek Achaean colony, various traditions assigned to it a much earlier origin. Strabo ascribes its foundation to a body of Pylians, a part of those who had followed Nestor to Troy; while Justin tells us it was founded by Epeius, the hero who constructed the wooden horse at Troy; in proof of which the inhabitants showed, in a temple of Minerva, the tools used by him on that occasion. Another tradition, reported by Ephorus, assigned to it a Phocian origin, and called Daulius, the tyrant of Crisa near Delphi, its founder. Other legends carried back its origin to a still more remote period. Antiochus of Syracuse said that it was originally called Metabus, from a hero of that name, who appears to have been identified with the Metapontus who figured in the Greek mythical story as the husband of Melanippe and father of Aeolus and Boeotus.

    Metapontum_theater_AvL (2).JPG metapontum-temple-of-hera.jpg
     
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  3. Justin Lee

    Justin Lee I learn by doing

    In looking at CNG auction sales, they vary widely... Anywhere from $200-1000+... I'd say (an estimate) of fair market value of yours (nice centering) would be a solid $400-600. Though I'm not an expert in silver of that period.

    Edit: Ooo, and NICE coin, @Bing!
     
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  4. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Gorgeous coin! Well done, JW!

    This one fell into the $1500-2500 range as posted in this thread:
    https://www.cointalk.com/threads/what-your-budget-buys-1500-2500-edition.304056/#post-2873393


    I chose this because it showed the ROMANO legend on the reverse on the horse’s collar.

    [​IMG]
    Roman Republic
    Anonymous, 280-275 BCE

    Didrachm (Silver, 20mm, 7.28 g 11)
    Uncertain mint (Neapolis?)
    OBV: Helmeted head of bearded Mars to left; oak spray to right
    REV: Horse’s head right, wearing bridle, on base inscribed ROMANO; to left, stalk of grain.
    REF: Sear 22; Crawford 13/1; HN III 266. Sydenham 1
    COMMENTS: Minor reverse corrosion.
    From a Swiss collection, formed in the 1990s

    I now subscribe to Kennith Harl’s explanation:

    Denarius started in 310 BCE: It has been argued that the DiDrachm name for PRE-Reform (211 BCE), is incorrect. In fact, the Romans would have called their AR - 10 Asses Coins a Denarius. Denarius is a derivative of Ten in Latin. Ergo, the Pre-Reform AR 10-Asses would be a Heavy Denarius. They were first minted in 310 BCE when Rome was building the Via Appia (first major highway in Italy) and Aqua Appia (first major Aquaduct in Italy) projects.

    In reading Kenneth Harl's book, it was used to pay for the BUILDING of Via Appia and Aqua Appia. These were the first major projects that Rome embarked, creating their first "super-highway" and first major Aquaduct program. The Censor Appius Claudius Caecus built the Aqua Appia in 312 BCE as well as built the Via Appia. Busy dude.

    I have posted this earlier, but this was the time that Rome was REALLY getting itself on the map! Legions, Road Systems, Aquaducts, Concrete, Incorporation of Allies and Citizens... HUGE innovations that made Rome a World Empire.

    I also have more Heavy Denarii from the PRE-Reform period of 310-211 BCE... here is the First AR Coin minted by Rome.
    [​IMG]
    Roman Republic
    Anon AR Heavy Denarius / Didrachm
    7.3g, 21mm, 310-300 BCE
    Helmeted Bearded Mars
    Horse head, Grain behind / Romano
    Crawford 13-1
    FIRST Silver Coin of Rome. Tarriffed at 10 Asses
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2019
  5. Finn235

    Finn235 Well-Known Member

    Beautiful coin, I hope to own one someday!

    As for price? I'd say somewhere in the $500-750 range, but I'm a cheapskate.

    *Pawn Stars voice* Best I can do is $150
     
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  6. PlanoSteve

    PlanoSteve Well-Known Member

    Ha, ha, ha,....good one! You sound just like Rick! :smuggrin::smuggrin::smuggrin:;)
     
  7. PMah

    PMah Member

    As you say, value is in the eye of the buyer. This example is nicely struck and well-centered. The ethnic seems completely worn, and that's a key element of this type. So around $500 is perhaps where one would close.
     
  8. Nvb

    Nvb Well-Known Member

    After looking at sold prices on acsearch, these seem to have quite a range with the closest comparables selling 10-15 years ago.
    Yours is nicer than most. My best guess is a market value of $1000- $1500+

    Very impressive pickup @Bing, regardless of price paid it's a beautiful coin that I'd be thrilled to have in my own collection
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2019
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  9. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Thanks for everyone's answer on market value. I want to wait to see if there are others willing to opine before I reveal why I've asked this question.
     
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  10. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member

    A nice example of a covetable coin
    I would be glad to add it to my trays for 600/700 bucks

    Q
     
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  11. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    My opinion has been covered above. To me, the value of the coin is very low due to the lack of the letters. However, the eye appeal and demand for the type is higher than I will spend on a coin not in a specialty of mine. If it were mine, I would sell it. The coin is at the same time too valuable and not good enough for me. I would rather, for example, have a full legend coin with a hole.

    For what it is worth, this situation has come up for me before. A coin high on my want list is the Provincial showing Noah and his wife in a box (arc). On the side of the box are the Greek letters spelling Noah. I would want the coin for me to have those letters but most known examples have lost them to wear. I will never own the coin.
    https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/world-news/religion/noah-ark-commemorated-on-roman-coins/
    [​IMG]
     
  12. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    While I agree with you (I almost always do), I have another reason for asking market value. Whether you would buy it is not the question. Considering today's market, what do you believe is the market value?
     
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  13. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    As a total noob, I would guess $500-700
     
  14. Nvb

    Nvb Well-Known Member

    To clarify my above post, I would be surprised to see this example fetch less than $1000 at a major, well advertised auction house.

    @dougsmit made a good point about the complete lack of lettering, I suppose that is one thing that could suppress the value, depending on the collector's priorities.
     
  15. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Beautiful coin Bing!
     
  16. AussieCollector

    AussieCollector Moderator Moderator

    Great coin @Bing !

    Unfortunately, I have no informed view on the value or market.
     
  17. pprp

    pprp Well-Known Member

    There is no such thing as a fair market value. Having said that, if your photo doesn't trick me, there is a graffito "x" to the left of Mars and it is 0.5g underweight. A stealer would offer 300 Max. From a collector you would probably get what the others are saying above
     
  18. dadams

    dadams Well-Known Member

    If I'm looking at a coin I generally use CNG archives to get a good idea of what I'd be willing to pay . . .

    There are 5 results from CNG eAuctions ranging from 280 to 650:
    upload_2019-8-14_17-5-40.png
    If one such as your became available to me I might buy at 350-400 which would be a number I'd be comfortable with based on the 2017 sale at CNG of the coin provenanced to @Andrew McCabe - Auction 408, Lot 363
     
  19. AussieCollector

    AussieCollector Moderator Moderator

    Nice @dadams

    Now we're bringing some objective facts to the discussion.
     
  20. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Exactly what I'm looking for. When I asked my question, you know there has to be a "but" afterwards.
     
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  21. Nvb

    Nvb Well-Known Member

    I would have posted the results from acsearch (which showed some much higher prices and higher quality examples) but we recently had a discussion about copyright and posting website snapshots in another thread.
    To do so would be breaking the rules
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2019
  22. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    ..i think, and if my (tight) intuition is any influence, i'd say @Bing , let that good ole, @zumbly buy it....:D
     
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