An Affordable Hobby: 2020 Favorites under $25

This post makes a really good point. The coins shown strike me as a good overview of what you can get in this price bracket. It does become disturbing when we see new collectors buying coins not nearly as nice for several times these prices. Of course some of this reflects 'marketing' prices like eBay fees and postage but buyers may not realize just how little of what they are asked to pay is for the coin itself and how much is for 'service'.

 

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As a noob in Greek coins, I didn't know the prices and I found out that you can get some without paying too much.

Macedon. Thessalonica circa 187-131 BC.
Bronze Æ 20 mm, 5,19 g. - 10 EUR


Not attributed 100% by the auction house and a little over the 25$ limit - 22 EUR ~ 26 $


Aiolis. Kyme circa 350-320 BC - 16 EUR



CARIA. Mylasa. Ae (Circa 210-30 BC). Obv: Forepart of horse right. Rev: MYΛΑΣΕΩΝ. Ornate trident head. SNG Keckman 225. - 14 EUR




Lydia. Thyateira circa 200-100 BC.
Bronze Æ 14 mm., 3,38 g. Imhoof LS 7A (my identification on Wildwinds) - 15 EUR

As I said, I admit I'm a noob in Greek coinage, but I think these are good prices.
I also bought a few more, but nothing over 30 EUR.

 

I have managed to add around 25 coins that cost me 0$/ they where either Christmas/ Birthday presents from my wife Here is one....OK its recent/ but still a beautifull design "Golden Eagle"

 

This was my first year collecting ancient coins. So far, most of my purchases have been under $25.00, with the exception of a few coins.

A budget-friendly Nero that only cost me $15.39.


Nero
Ae As
65 A.D.
Obverse: NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P, laureate head right.
Reverse: S-C, Victory flying left with shield inscribed SPQR.
Rome
Diameter: 26.0 mm
Weight: 9.16g
RIC 314, Sear 1976

A Domitian provincial that cost me less than a fast-food meal.

Domitian
AE20 of Amphipolis, Macedonia
81-96 A.D.
Obverse: AYT KAIΣAP; ΔOMITIANOΣ, laureate head right
Reverse: AMΦIΠOΛITΩN, Artemis standing left, holding long torch and branch, shield at her feet.
Weight: 8.5g
RPC 339, Sear GIC 801

A denarius of Antoninus Pius that only cost me $21.50.




Antoninus Pius
AR Denarius
144 A.D.
Obverse: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III; laureate head right.
Reverse: ANNONA AVG; Modius with four-grain ears and a poppy.
RIC III 62a

Here is another coin that cost me the equivalent of a fast-food meal.


Antoninus Pius
Ae As, Rome ninth century celebration
148 – 149 A.D.
Obverse: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XII; laureate head right
Reverse: MVNIFICENTIA AVG COS IIII S-C; Munificentia standing left, holding wreath and sceptre: at feet; lion.
RIC IV Rome 861

I only gave $12.45 for my denarius of Lucius Verus.


Lucius Verus
AR Denarius
161-162 A.D.
Obverse: IMP L AVREL VERVS AVG, bare head right.
Reverse: PROV DEOR TR P II COS II, Providentia holding globe and cornucopiae.
Rome
Diameter: 18.05 mm
Weight: 3.14g
RIC 482

If I recall correctly I paid less than $20 for this evenly circulated denarius of Marcus Aurelius.


Marcus Aurelius
AR Denarius
163 A.D.
Obverse: IMP M ANTONINVS AVG, bare head right.
Reverse: PROV DEOR TR P XVII COS III, Providentia standing left, holding globe and cornucopiae.
RIC 70

I only paid a little over $3.00 for this Valerian I antoninianus excluding the cost of shipping.


Valerian I
AR Antoninianus
253-255 A.D.
Obverse: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped bust right.
Reverse: FELICITAS AVGG, Felicitas standing left holding caduceus and cornucopiae.
Diameter: 21.3mm
Weight: 3.71 gr.
RIC 87,Cohen 55; Sear 9936.

I believe I only paid $6.50 for this antoninianus with a comically bad portrait of Gallienus.


Gallienus
Antoninianus
260 – 268 A.D.
Obverse: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right
Reverse: VIRTVS AVGVIRTVS AVG, Virtus standing left, resting hand on shield and holding spear.
Milan
Diameter: 19.4 mm
Weight 2.37g
RIC 534

My first coin with a traceable provenance and it only cost me $5.55.



Gratian
Bronze Ae 4
383 – 388 A.D.
Obverse: D N GRATIA-NVS P F AVG; pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: VOT XX MVLT XXX surrounded by laurel wreath
In ex. SM[??]
Heraclea?
Ex-Dattari

 

I got a few Constantinople commemorative coins this year for less than $10 each. These are obviously quite common but still extremely historically interesting.

This one from Nicomedia is one of the CONSTANTINOPOLI ones with no "s":



This one is from Antioch:

 

I did purchase some large lots of Byzantine folles and other denominations, which average around $12.00 per coin or less, in terms of a single coin purchase under $25 this year, this is probably the nicest, at bit encrusted, but still nice at $15.52 plus shipping, from Romae Aeternae Numismatics.

Syria, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch AE Tetrachalkon , Circa 50 BC
Obverse: Laureate head of Zeus right.
Reverse: Zeus Nikephoros seated left holding Nike, all within wreath.
References: McAlee 43; RPC I 4216 Scarce
Size: 24mm, 11.56g

 

Great idea. Here’s a Constantine Sol coin with cross in field. Maybe just a control mark. Maybe the first Christian symbol on a common bronze coin. Worth $12 to me.

Some knowledge and patience can pay off.

 

Hi All,

These are the only 3 I got for under $25 in 2020.

Licinius for US$23.04 (with all postage and fees)



A Ptolemy II AE for US$21.73(with all postage and fees)



And finally for under US$20 (actually $18.08 all told) bought from our own @Ryro



- Broucheion