A small request, cause I can’t figure out how to post the coin. Please look at number 111 on today’s Savoca Auction, 12-25 A lysimachos like I have been searching for that I can afford. Got it….Want to know what others think of it…Thanks
In another thread here in the past week I suggested watching Aaron Berk's videos. One did quite a bit with examples of what he considered to be premium Alexander type coins based on style (all his coins were mint state) and what he considered to be the difference between a $1000 coin and a $100000 coin. With that as a background, I ask what it is about the style of this coin that makes is better than the other thousand Alexander type coins on the market every day. Being Lysimachos is certainly a plus. I like the face of Zeus on it. What did you like that caused you to bid higher than everyone else? Auctions, by the nature of the beast, are won by someone willing and able to pay more than other people thought to be appropriate. When I win a coin at auction, I have trouble with the thought that I must have valued the coin more highly than others and overpayed. Those who overpay buy coins. When buying from a dealer, it is possible that the one dealer was wrong about the market or that I got there at a good time before other people did. At auction, we know that the coin was seen by many people and many of them have employed agents to advise them on how that coin might be good or bad at what level. In this case, I can see how someone wanting that type (you) might pay the price realized and fees but I don't see it attracting people (me) not specifically looking for one like it. My coin is quite different and not as nice as yours. It was $71 all in in 1999 from CNG. I'd say you did just fine for 2021.
If you like the coin, I think you did fine for 2021 since the coin is nicely preserved. I read about this (very general) type of drachms 1 year ago when I wanted a random one to add into my collection. I was not interested if it's Alexander lifetime or posthumous (unlikely to find a lifetime anyway) and I had no preferences regarding the city. What I wanted was a drachm with Hercules and Zeus, in a decent shape and with a low price. My example is inferior to yours in many aspects - preservation, damage and, I think, also dies quality. But I like the coin and I think I did fine (price was quite low). It is not the same coin - mine is Philip III Arrhidaios struck under Menander or Kleitos - from Magnesia ad Maeandrum but I had no preference, as I said. I would say, again, that you did fine for a drachm in nice quality. What I like less - the horizontal cleaning marks (?) on the reverse, for me they are a little distracting but don't make this a bad coin.
