.....or the one that got away This is one of the drawbacks of being a tight fisted Scotsman. i'd been watching a coin for a few days. It was sitting at 25 euro which i thought to be a bit of a bargain. I had thought to do a snipe at 75 euro but thought the better of it and bid only 67 euros. It sold for 68. Must try to overcome my genetic programming . The coin is a rather nice example of a coin from the Aedui tribe (Eduens) in the Bourgogne region during the period 80 -60 BC. While it is nice and romantic to think of the `French' being like that little enclave held by Asterix and his pals in the comic books, it wasn't quite like that. The Aedui were actually staunch supporters of the Romans and fought for them more often than not against their fellow Gauls. Sadly this coin was destined for someone else's collection. (Bummer!)
Ian, sorry about the coin. I hope it comes up again. Question: were the aediui cavery for the romans. I seem to have a memory of them being considered the best horseman soliders until the mongels. Then again its been awhile but the coin does look like it may have a horse on it.
Many coins from that time frame have horses prominent on them, so that in itself isn't much of an indication as to their abilities with regards to horsemanship. However, I too believe that the Aeduins did supply cavalry rather than infantry to the Romans. Exactly where I know that from, I can't immediately recall or provide reference for. These coins are pretty difficulty to find in that condition, especially at that price. I was simply mad. No excuse.
It is a very nice coin indeed for what appears to me to be a reasonable price for a coin so old, so rich in history and in such fine condition but how can you know it was the real deal? plus is there a ton of those coins buried about and floating in trade or was this coin a once in a few years sighting?
Good point Andy. My first safeguard is that it was being sold by someone i've had previous dealings with and therefore established some `track'. He's ok and knows his stuff. In relation to the coin type, many of the coins still in existence are actually fourees (literally `filled') . That is, a base metal core with a plated exterior. However the fourees are usually found with their copper core exposed in a few places. Even they tend to sell in France for around the $125 -$150 mark. Andy, I appreciate the supporthonestly have no excuses to give either myself or the world fior what is an example of being a tight fisted Scot. I thought I was `being smart'. On this occasion being smart would have meant bidding what I was actually prepared to bid. The upside is that I don't usually get it wrong , but if there was a smiley for kicking ones own backside, i'd be using it right now.
