What with the departure of many of the "ancient mariners" from CT, I don't see any mention of FRS ( frscoin.com ) and his auctions. As a service to newer members who might be interested, FRS runs a few auctions a year with very interesting coins. I usually end up bidding on a few but seldom win. I got luckier this time and got two ancients and a "hogmouth". First my siglos, 4.79 g 12X14 mm, Frank says Persia 450-330 BC King running R with spear and bow...any other info on this or the other coins is appreciated. Next an Egypt Tet Aurelian and Vabalathus 10.33 g 20X24 mm and I will include my "hogmouth" which has to be one of the oddest depictions of a ruler to be put on a coin...but you can see why he got the name. 5.51 g 30 mm and to get an idea of size...all together now... The auction I got these at: http://fsrcoin.com/m.html
ACHAEMENID EMPIRE AR Siglos OBVERSE: Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding spear and bow REVERSE: Incuse punch Struck at Persia, 485-420 BC 5.5g, 16mm Carradice Type IIIb, Group A/B (pl. XII, 18)
I don't bother with the auction since they go so high. I stick the world coin list and have gotten many nice coins from it.
Hey @Kentucky I am both ancient and predated the group on CT that left. I have bought from Frank Robinson for well over 20 years now. I admit I do not buy as much since his auction lists got above about 600 people, since the prices climbed. To be fair to Frank, good for him but he has been vocal he is unable to get the material as cheaply as he used to either. I used to love his world coin lists like @Mat, but those have more competition now too. I bought a lot of my early Chinese from him, material that is 10-100 times more expensive now if you can find it. I go to the other site some, but am more used to the layout here. I went a little crazy a month ago, blowing about $6k on auctions, so have put myself on a diet for a while.
Indeed, Frank is a good guy and has lots of good "meat and potatoes" coins in his lists and auctions, though I've also noticed a lot more competition in his auctions the last couple of years, making it harder to get true bargains. But they're still pretty reasonable, Frank is easy to work with, and best of all no buyer's fees- the final bid is what you pay, no extra 20% buyer's fee added. I couldn't bid very heavily in his latest as I needed to save for the Steve Album auction, so I only won one coin this time, a nice Sasanian drachm of Vahrahn V (420-438):
I like Frank's auctions as well - he has a good spread of ancients. I have been interested in a few and bid on some, but they always went too high for what I was willing to pay. Still, I keep coming back, because maybe I will snag something in the next one...
Frank is really a one-of-a-kind guy and it is always a great pleasure and a good surprise to bid in his auctions. Not to mention the envelopes in which he mails coins - with a lot of collectible stamps. I was bidding on one coin and surprise, I did win, which I only knew after I asked him (by email) This is the coin; picture courtesy of Frank. Needless to say, the picture doesn't really show the beauty of the coin: TYRE, Tetradrachm (Shekel) 14.04 g DCA Tyre 58; BMC 97; Rouvier 1997 Ob.: Melkarth, laureate head to r. Rev.: ΤΥPΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ-(ΚΑΙ)ΑΣΥΛΟΥ Eagle standing l. on prow, Phoenician letter Bet between the eagle's legs; palm frond in background; at left date LK above club (L stands for year, K for 20 = 107/106 BC), monogram HAP
I enjoy his auctions. Here is one I got awhile back: And then the two I won during his latest auction: I actually did not win the rupee listed in the auction, but Frank sent along a close match, offering it at my bid price in case I was interested. Of course I was happy to accept!
He is certainly a man to be trusted (he actually sends out his coins to you prior to payment in many cases) But the prices have been way over the top the last couple of years so I’ve rarely bid. But if you see something you need - bid strong and know you will be treated well and acquire a coin that in 90% of cases is much better in hand than the photo.
The first coin I ever bought from Frank was about $100 or so. The envelope arrived with an empty coin envelope inside. Frank never questioned me and refunded my money!!! The 3 I bought only ran $116 with shipping.
