Hi folks, this one is below my standards but after the Dix Nonan Auction I was frustrated so I bought this budget Balbinus instead. What do you think? IMP CAES D CAEL BALBINUS AVG / PM TR P COS II PP Sestertius, Rome April-June 238 RIC 16, C 21
That's my kind of Balbinus: budget-wise! I do not have any examples since they always seem so expensive. I'd take this one in a heartbeat.
I think it's fine and I would've grabbed it at the right price.... I went for a less costly example too as my 'budget' example suggests.
I do not believe you should buy a coin beneath your standards. There are plenty of people who would be happy to have the coin so why should you be miserable with it?
My standards are way higher than my budget. I have to buy "lesser" coins and I am not miserable with them
It'll do nicely. I think it's fine to buy something as a filler, until you get a chance to upgrade. (Which can be years!)
LOL, hmmm... I have no standards. I reckon I just get UGLY! And, I am still very happy! I collect on the Historical side, so I am always happy to hold that critical bit of history. Fun!
Of course I'm not THAT miserable, Doug . On one hand I learned that you can't buy a beautiful Balbinus for less than what would be too much for me, but on the other hand I' m a completist so as long as it is not outright ugly I am still happy to fill the vacancy. I must confess that I would have preferred a lighter tone and smoother surfaces, but I think this will be easier to sell than a handful of Antonine Sestertii of a similar grade so it won't be a big waste of money if I manage to find my dream-Balbinus bronze (seemingly noone else here has achieved that for himself so far either). The real problem will be Gordian I and II, I guess...
JG, It's an excellent coin that I would buy in a heartbeat. Well centered and complete legends on both sides, clear portrait and most importantly, no scuffs or dings. It's an excellent addition of a tough to find emperor.
I like it too! Bit rough on reverse, but the bust still quite nice. But the color .....shouldn't it be nice and brassy looking?
Yes, Eduard - but I have never seen a brassy looking Balbinus in my collector's life. I guess they ran out of pure Orichalcum at the Rome mint by 238...
