I finally purchased my first Celtic coin. It's broken, but I suppose that is why I was able to get it at a very reasonable price. I'm not certain how everyone feels about broken coins, but, depending on the break, I have no real problems with them (I have a few in my collection). EASTERN CELTS, DACHREITER TYPE AR Drachm OBVERSE: Celticized head of Zeus right REVERSE: Celticized horseman riding left; wheel of four spokes above Struck by the Skordoski in Syrmia, 2d Century BC 1.87g, 14mm OTA 188/2-3 I've been searching for more information on this type, but, so far, not much luck. There seems to be several for sale, but no information is provided other than this type originated in modern day Bulgaria. Any info you can share will be greatly appreciated. Also, post any Celtic coins in your collection. Or for that matter, post any broken coins you might own.
Hi Bing: I have never seen your type coin, but Bulgaria borders on the Black Sea, I have two Staters they came from Western region of the Black Sea=Bulgaria Mine are "suppose" to be from Scythian/Cetic tribe named "Basternae" I will repost those photos to see similarities?
A question is what is 'reasonable'. My general rule of thumb is they are worth no more than 1/4 of a whole coin. Of course that depends not only on how broken it is but whether the coin is, as Ken points out, prone to being broken or if there is an explanation for its being broken. The best example of this last IMO are the Archaic Greek coins that were test cut so severely that some were halved or coins like the Nemausis crocs or English silver pennies that were regularly cut/broken for change. These coins are not damaged but just showing signs of their life as circulating coinage. Such coins are worth 'less' but far from worthless. Why are Gepid imitations broken? Were they poorly made or was it local practice to break coins for some reason? Eliminating coins with an excuse, I am hard on broken coins. Caesar elephants show up chipped or broken more than many issues just from being poorly made. I value the one below at much less than an intact coin. 1/4 almost seems harsh since the break hardly shows on the elephant side. The Commodus Flaviopolis Provincial below was bought in a moment of weakness because I liked the reverse busts of Seraphis and Isis. I feel the coin is worth about 1/4 what it would with a smooth edge. However, it is many times better than the one on Wildwinds which I would value far lower and wonder why the type seems prone to breakage. ...but CNG shows four intact ones from past sales ranging from $60 to $650 so my coin loses any special protected status and is just a damaged coin worth about the $29 I paid for it(????). Would I buy it again? Good question. As far as Bing's coin goes, I'll point out that it was broken on the 'correct' side to retain both designs. The same fraction of a flan losing the nose and the horse head would be much worse IMHO. I might have Bing's coin but I would avoid the opposite option.
This is my only Danubian celt bronze......and although I have numerous slightly 'chipped' examples, my only 'broken' one is a cut dupondius of Augustus/Agrippa made into an As:
I dont really place specific value determinations on various types of damage. But with Doug's examples above, consider this coin: The test cut has broken the coin essentially completely. It remains only slightly attached (honestly I cant understand how they cleaned it and the two halves remained together). This cost me $156 from CNG about 4 years ago. I suppose if it were complete it would go for about $500. But I like it specifically for the damage. Its value to me (not necessarily monetary value) is actually more than that of an undamaged specimen.
I only have one broken coin, and it might better be described as chipped. It is also a bit light (should be 17-18mm). But for $9, it was a good find. Sicily, Syracuse 357-344 BC AE16 - 2.96gm Obv: female head left, hair in sphendone; behind, spray of olive Rev: Dolphin leaping right above scallop shell, ΣΥΡΑ between Ref:SG1187
@Bing gorgeous Celtic! I really like it... Seems scarce... I am between flights, but would like to post my two Celtic Danubian drachmae imitating Philip II when I get home tomorrow.
I wouldnt buy a broken coin. I'd rather not have one of the type and just class it as one of the unaffordables .
I forgot to show my half fourree owl. Thank you for not wanting it and paying more than I would. I would love to have been the fly on the wall when this one was discovered to be 'bad' and Ken's coin above was found to be good. You have to wonder if Ken's cutter had been burned recently and decided that he was not going to let that happen again.
To each his/her own. If I don't buy lower graded coins, I don't buy at all. I find this Celtic coin pleasing even if broken.
I really like the fouree owl, Doug, that is really intriguing. At some point coins have a lot of interest to me as artifacts of the past rather than perfect specimens of coins. That copper core really shows how someone counterfeited this coin way back in antiquity. John
Just for perspective, my broken Celtic coin cost 1.5% of the cost of this one on Vcoins: https://www.vcoins.com/en/Search.as...cords=100&SearchOnSale=False&Unassigned=False
As promised: EASTERN EUROPE. Imitation of Philip II of Macedon. Drachm (3rd-2nd centuries BC). "Kugelwange" type. Obv: Laureate head of Zeus right. Rev: Horse advancing left. Lanz 509 Weight: 2.49 g. Diameter: 15 mm. Eastern Europe. Imitating Philip II of Macedon. 2nd century B.C. AR drachm. Kugelwange type. Struck by the Skordoski in Syrmia. Phase B. Lanz 507
