True, but I fail to grasp how any emperor would approve of an official portrait of himself with a bull's dick sticking out of his head. Plus, it...
Yes, well that explains how such a silly conjecture could become so readily accepted. As both your top coin and mine show, the "horn" is probably...
Yeah, what is the deal with the horn? I've seen several coins of Elagabalus with hornlike appendages sticking from his head. Surely this wasn't...
My two favorite Constantines. I don't know why. [IMG] Cyzicus mint, A.D. 311-312 RIC 89b (var., unlisted officina) Obv: IMP C FL VAL CONSTANTINVS...
You might consider starting a little smaller. I would recommend going to a coin show and looking for something in the $100 range as your first...
I understand your preference for the black, shiny patina. It does look nice and tends to show off details well. But keep in mind that patinas can...
Is everyone aware of toolhaus.org? You can submit an eBay seller's name and get a list of all negative and neutral feedback. 96% positive...
Hard to say. Too many variables. I visited the ruins around Siem Reap, Cambodia, a couple of years ago. Some are as is, some heavily repaired but...
Good point about selling the collection.
In all honesty, I have to admit to a mercantile element in my own collecting. I've spent a lot of time and labor slowly putting together my Roman...
The reality is that it's not about aesthetics at all. It's all about return of investment. Unfortunately, the same can often be said about ultra...
Time moves quickly. Five years from now you'll have a much better grasp of the material. In fifteen years, people will be asking you your opinion....
If the "sand" patina is artificial, you might try just soaking it in distilled water for a couple of days and then hitting it with a toothbrush...
I think the question of fake art is fascinating. Say you buy a Rauschenberg or a Frankenthaler for millions of dollars. Then some expert says that...
Fel Temps are among the most common types of ancient Roman coins, possibly THE most common type. They were minted in the millions. Because of...
It's possible that the dark spot is the result of some of the copper in the coin reacting to something in its environment. Most silver coins...
Or a broken nose.
If you were in Nemausus you could make change.
[IMG] AE III Siscia mint, A.D. 378-383 Obv: D N VALENTINIANVS IVN P F AVG Rev: CONCO-R-DIA AVGGG - Roma seated, holding globe and reverse spear;...
Grain ear? Do you mean the club? At a quick glance, it looks like whatever is covering the obverse can be picked off with a sharpened brass rod,...
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