I just put this coin in the link on reserve, and have committed to buy it for $25 when I get the money. This coin has been sitting on display over the world wide web for almost two weeks and no one picked it up. To me, it looks a good deal for $25, but I can't figure out why no one else picked this beauty up. Did they know something about this coin that I can't tell? The guy I bought it from is a great person that I trust and would never try to rip me off or anything, I just don't get how people passed this up (many have been looking at his coins and most of them have sold). PLMK what you think: PROBUS Augustus 276-282 AD. AE silvered antoninianus, Tripolis mint. Obv.- IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG, radiate draped bust right. Rev.- CLEMENTIA TEMP, emperor standing right, holding sceptre, receiving globe from Jupiter, Z between, XXI in exergue. RIC-927-Z. Rarity (2/-). http://www.24hourforums.com/gallery/data/500/RS080b-Probus.jpg stainless
Probably because the coin just isn't spectacular. Coins of Probus are very common and there's little need for a dedicated collector to purchase a lower-quality specimen. I can't tell if yours has been repatinated or if its silvered, but the silvered ones bring a premium. Plus, the reverse isn't very well struck. I'd call the grade VF at best. Compare to this: See the difference? Coins of Probus have been very heavily collected in recent years, with some varieties (mintmark, bust type) bringing a lot of money. Read this thread to learn more: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=17834.600
It's a nice looking coin and would be a good addition to an ancient Roman collection. You might be able to pick up one at a lower price somewhere, but unless you have to count your pennies for food on your table, it isn't something to worry about.
I'll let Wayne Sayles tell the story, he's better at it. http://www.ancients.info/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&id=4
And howabout a before and after of repatination on one of my coins? (The second image is a scan, so its not as nice) Before: After
Thanks for the link Arditarion So do you think it is bad or okay, it said some buyers are okay with it and some aren't. But it also said it is not a uncommon practice so I would assume most coins are repatinated. stainless
I do not like repatination, if its been cleaned to the metal I want to see metal...but in Ancients its very common practice and many coins will be repatinated...to me they seldom look much better if at all...mostly just dark. this coin was cleaned to the metal: and it looks great...most wont look so good but I would still rather have some pits in the metal than pitted DARKENED metal...pitting is pitting...making it dark wont get rid of the pitting, just makes it harder to see...as well as the detail. Probus coins arent the most common and in fact there are dedicated collectors of Probus that often drive the price for his coins quite high so to be honest, to get a decent quality Probus might be harder than you think...I think on Forum Ancient Coins there is a dedicated thread just for Probus coins for sale on ebay...tracking them and the prices they go for.
Update, it is not repatination, is is almost full silvering (I don't think that could be caused by repatination can it? not sure). stainless
no, it doesnt look repatinated, it looks silvered...I think its an attractive coin save for the head being rubbed out on victory on the reverse. I think its a good deal for 25.
