This was from NFA back in 85. AV Solidus ND Treveri Mint struck 347/8AD (my 3rd ancient) Emperor Constans I / please post your Constans I
Constans (337 - 350 A.D.) Æ2 O: DN CONSTA-NS PF AVG, Pearl diademed, draped and and cuirassed bust left, holding globe in right hand. R: FEL TEMP RE-PARATIO, Helmeted soldier,spear in left hand, advancing right, head left; with his right hand he leads a small figure from a hut beneath a tree. (mint of Cyzicus), 4th offincia. SMKΔ 4.5g
Kinda pales in comparison with the beautiful OP, but here's mine: (Bronze) AE2 Siscia mint, A.D. 348-359 (2nd series) Obv: D N CONSTA-NS P F AVGA behind obverse bust Rev: FEL TEMP RE-PARTIO - Soldier spearing fallen enemy horseman [dot]ASIS[dot] in exergue; A in left field RIC 254 24mm, 5.1g.
Just woke up.... Thanks for comments NFA (Numismatic Fine Arts) was my introduction into ancients. They where the CNG of the 80/90s, had rare top grade material. However they ran into problems in 90s due to some high end coins that turned out to be forgeries john
Panzerman, That's a handsome looking solidus especially the reverse (despite the out of focus photo). I like the Emperor's "heavenward gaze". Did you ever get it slabbed?
Thank you! No, most of my coins, esp. ancients are not slabbed, The only slabbed ones are five from Heritage, and one from NY Sale. This coin was described by NFA as FDC, they had very strict grading, like CNG today, which led me to think that NFA became CNG.....now I know the different. The other great auction house, Tkalec had beautifull high grade coins, I got nice material thru their auctions. John
John, I bought a number of nice looking Republican denarii from NFA & a number of their catalogs, way back then. They were number one for a long time. All the denarii I got from them I sold at a handsome profit . CNG has filled in well since their fall from grace .
True! I remember they had that MS Saturninus Aureus/ plus a FDC Alexander of Carthage example, stuff of dreams. I would make a really bad coin dealer, I would probably want to keep all the choice coins for my collection.
Those new to the hobby (30 years or less) that do not know NFA might enjoy the book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-lis...549384318&sr=8-1&keywords=fun+while+it+lasted The first time I recommended this book here, Amazon had used copies for one cent plus postage. Now they are up to Alot more but postage is sill more than the book. This is the autobiography of Bruce McNall and how NFA and respect in his field turned into hockey, horses and jail. I wish they would make a movie of it.
I can also recommend the book. It's an entertaining read. It is also eye opening to learn how many other coin dealers, importers and banks have dirty hands, too.
Forgeries were not their problem (though that certainly did not help). Their problem was excessive greed, scamming people, taking money and not delivering coins, selling coins that did not exist, selling coins multiple times over to different people, the list goes on). Its an old tale, one that has been often repeated (Rob Freeman for one) and I am sure will happen more in the future. The book Doug mentions is a good one, though only a small part is dedicated to coins and his shenanigans. Sports are much more interesting to the average person, so I am sure he wrote it with that in mind.
May I show my Constans: RIC VIII, Siscia 114; C. 90 OB VICTORIAM TRIVMPHALEM = for our triumphal victory. Means the victory in the war against the Franks in 341/342. Best regards
