I am looking for a solution for storage (probably are going to be good quality velvet trays) for my coins and as it is going to be also for future coins that I haven't yet received, I wanted to know approximately what is the normal biggest size that a tetradrachm could be (from any time), as for now I think my biggest is about 29mm and also what would you believe that is the most common. Would a 38x38 square suffice or maybe it's too much for tetradrachms and a 30x30 would be ok or maybe should I get the bigger size of 50x50 (there are not unfortunately any sizes between 38 and 50)? Also do you think 25x25 would be good for antoniniani and denarii? I thank you all in advance!
I guess it depends on what type of tetradrachm you primarily plan on collecting, most classical tetradrachms are somewhere in the range of 22-25mm, though you get the occasional 26/27mm tet. Early hellenistic upto ~200 BC most are in the range of 25-30mm across, and then many of the later hellenistic types are 30-35mm with the odd 37/38mm coin. And then the Roman ones vary immensely again depending on the era (and metal, though they're generally <30mm). Generally though, you should have no problem with the 38mm spaces for anything roman, classical, or early hellenistic. If you plan to focus on larger late-hellenistic tetradrachms however I'd suggest the 50mm tray as multiple 33mm coins in 38mm spaces can appear cramped. Edit: yes 25mm works great for denarii and almost all antoninianii, any larger and the coins start to feel unreasonaly small (at least IMO)
I've many tets which are about 25 mm in diameter. My largest one is 34,4 mm , you should be OK with 38mm space imho.
My largest one is a Lysimachos of 32mm and feets well on a Mignon Tray - Velvet model 20 squares Abafil (for 35mm in diameter coins)
Provincials can be 35 or 36 mm, with the occasional irregular larger flan. Larger tets are sometimes referred to as medallions and these can range all the way up to the mid 40s. If you want everything to look neat and tidy, 38 is nice with the odd larger one stored separately. If you want to be certain you can display all of your coins in series, 50 would be a better option. It really comes down to what you buy and what you consider a tet.
I assume (I know, wrong thing to do), that felt is totally safe touching coins for years to come? Is it safe for all coin metals?
.....hey, if dirt ain't bad for'em for coupla 1000 years..felts great! ,,i got this one in tonight for me coins/small artifacts...its got a lock with keys ..and here's me other 2 i got last week
The biggest tetradrachm that I had ever owned was this one Mesambria Ar Tetradrachm 250-175 BC in the name and types of Alexander the Great 36 mm Price 1032 36 mm THIS is NO LONGER MY COIN This was as big as I have ever seen however as far as I can tell only this particular issue from Mesambria ever gets that big. My second biggest is a Temnos at 35 mm and a Myrina at 33 mm. it is unusual to find a tetradrachm that is over 30 mm though the "spread flan" Stephanophoric and the contemporary civic "Alexanders" certainly can get larger.