Small Alexander the Great bronzes usually sell for much less. What is special about this one? Why such a high estimated hammer? From The New York Sale, January 8 2013, via sixbid http://www.sixbid.com/browse.html?auction=1095&category=22309&lot=1023331 ANCIENT COINS. GREEK COINS. Kingdom of Macedon, Alexander III, The Great (336-323 B.C.), Æ 18mm, 5.53g, 8h.Macedonian mint.Struck c.325-310 B.C.Head of Herakles facing right, wearing a lion’s skin headdress. Rev. B A , quiver and bow above, club below, branch left in exergue (Price 377; SNG Alpha Bank 785-787).Attractive dark green patina, extremely fine. US$ 300
Huh? ... yah, I'm not too sure why it's priced that high? Ummm, don't they usually state "Alexander as Herakles" when these types of coins were struck during Alexander's lifetime? I have an example, but it has Alexander between the bow and the club, not B.A. (maybe that has something to do with it?) .... or not? Oooh => NFL Wildcard games are starting-up again (talk to you later)
There are many variations on this theme and I doubt people will pay extra for any small differences. Condition would seem to be more important but this one is not all that nice. I don't have one exactly like it but have one similar to Steve's that was $30 in 2000. I thought the BA coins were later. For example that is the legend on my Philip V with goats well over a century after Alexander died. My best guess is that a big sale always hope to draw big bids on great coins and a certain number of excessive bids on lesser coins that filled out the sale. I often pay too much for coins I want so I should also allow that privilege to rich people with different interest and for whom $300 is chump change. Perhaps the coin is a rare variation but that does not always mean it will sell for more unless you get two people with money who really want the thing. I don't want this at $300. You?
I forgot to ask: How do you feel about the Extremely Fine grade assigned to this coin? I guess pits and scratches don't count for anything and certainly would never be mentioned.
Hey => I have a two goats coin too, but your example is far sweeter than mine ... => ahaha ... the control symbol (below the goats) looks like it's flippin' ya the bird!!
There are many things about the listing that are baffling, and the grade is one of them. Things that bother me about the coin/listing: 1. The irregular small flan 2. The stated grade 3. Is the obverse tooled? 4. There are scads of similar coins readily available for ~$25-50. Granted, I do not know if there is something rare about this particular variety.
I certainly no expert, but compared to the tooled coins I've seen, I would hazard to say the obverse is tooled.
