Can someone explain "AE Tin" please?

Yes and no. For a Constantine, yes. However, I have been searching for a rare Egyptian bronze for about a decade now, and one is closing Tuesday. Its a small little bronze, price right now is $200, but I am pretty sure if I don't buy it it will be another decade before I see another one offered.

So yes, I agree patience is very much required in this field. Be patient, but don't be afraid to pull the trigger when you see something you know is rare. To me, JA is just starting and does not really yet know what is rare, so he should concentrate on the patient part.

Btw Bing, I am right with you on the "bottom feeder" part, we just usually look for deals in different areas.

 

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You're right - I don't know what rare is, but I do have plenty of patience, no worries there. And for now I'm sticking to LRBs, because there are a lot of coins in that market that I can afford in the highest possible grades, even if I end up overpaying a bit.

 

Fair enough sir. The only thing I would suggest is to "keep your ming open". For the same money you can buy a truly superb Sassanian of Khusrau II or similar. LRB are not the only affordable area of ancients. But, to each his own, and every area has their own adherents. Maybe get a nice set of LRB's, get your feet wet, then jump into the deep end with the rest of us idiots.

 

Chris, if you keep pushing those Sassanian coins, the market's going to go bullish on them - be careful what you wish for, lol.

But I think I will stick to LRBs at the moment. Every coin I'm interested in sets off a flurry of research. I'm now the resident expert on Late Roman history - (which isn't saying much, really, since I'm surrounded by a bunch of Amish farmers.)

 

I agree with medoraman. I'm sorry some condition centered collectors look down their noses at those who make room in our hearts for coins under MS65 but that is just the nature of the hobby. The secret is knowing when a coin is exceptional and when a coin is to be found by the handful so you can afford to be selective in either price or condition. If you only want coins of the highest grade, you will ocassionally pass on the only example of a coin you will ever see. That will not bother you as much as it might bother me. The trick is knowing the market well enough to know when to raise and when to fold. I'm still learning this craft. That also means that I have paid $300 for a coin you would pass at $30 and I would pass your selections simply because the coins do not fit my idea of something I need to own. That is the biggest single difference in collecting ancients and moderns. Modern collectors have the benefit of catalogs with easy to follow price structures based on prior sales. Ancient collectors sometimes need to decide if the best available or only available is good enough. I am not a bottom feeder when I buy a coin like the one medoraman has been seeking for a decade; I am a realist.

Let me attach a few photos showing coins I bought that you would not have. Each is, it happens, either the best I have seen, the only I have seen or something I can live with until I get really lucky and find another. It is the hobby as I practice it.

 

As you say, if you know what you are looking for, when you find it, pull that trigger. I was looking for a Caligula Denarius to complete my set of 12 Caesars Denarii for a long time. I finally bought but at no bottom feeder price IMO. Still the price was good enough. One other bit of advice even though it wasn't asked for. I, along with many collectors I've met on these forums, have bought coins we later replace with better quality coins. If you can afford it, go for the quality at first. You'll be glad in the long run when you don't have to look to replace. I'm no fan of uncleaned lots. It is rare anyone will find something of quality or rarity. Most that I have cleaned have turned out to be little more than culls. I no longer waste my time with these uncleaned lots.

No matter what you do, what you buy, the whole idea behind a hobby like this is enjoyment and satisfaction. Don't let yourself become obsessed. Good luck and keep asking the questions. We all have our opinions (like certain body parts) and some really know what they are talking about.

 

Hey guys, don't get me wrong! I don't look down my nose at anyone for any reason - it's just not a part of my personality. Perhaps I'm approaching my collection too much from the perspective of a modern collector, Perhaps in time I'll come to appreciate coins in lesser grades for their rarity and historical importance. If I came off as a snob, I apologize wholeheartedly!

I posted that Constantine because I'm very much drawn to it on a number of levels, and I was confused by the "AE Tin" description, and needed some clarification. I'm particularly drawn to the depiction of Mars on the reverse, and I'm attempting to exercise some due diligence in a purchase of this type.

In fact, I've looked at no less than 12 different coins in the same price range, and this one speaks to me the loudest. Here are the other 12 - let me know what you think...

 

And finally, the one I like the best. I have my reasons, but I'd like to know what you all think...

 

You sure do like Mars JA. Nice coins.

 

None of them are mine, yet! I like that particular depiction of Mars - I find it aesthetically appealing.

 

Even I, (who don't even collect Romans as I say), recognize that eagles and standards as a special coin, as well as the consecratio. I am sure the other three have special stories as well Doug, as you are good at those types of coins, but at least an idiot like me recognoze those two other coins.

Chris

 

Do what I do then, buy 3!

 

Well, that listing ended. I had a feeling that would happen once I posted the auction, lol. It's been a good exercise anyway.

 

Well from another new ancient collector I find myself collecting ancients the same way I collect more modern coins. I still want coins with good eye appeal in pretty good condition and a fair price. I think the most important thing is to buy what appeals to you, some may like the look of a coin thats been circulated a few times.

As for now I'm seeing a lot of ancients that I really like, some Greek and some Roman. The price is right but the condition is not. So I'm waiting to see if anything new comes up in the future.

 

I would likely give a limb each for the four silver coins that Doug posted. I have never seen another example of any of them and trust me I have looked.

 

The Caracalla bronze would probably be the most generally recognized as special but few would care that it has the four step reverse in place of the common five. There was a drawing on one in Banti (IV-I). There is a match to the Domna in Paris. The legionary is unlisted because of the IICOS on the reverse. Just being a legionary is not special; just being an Emesa legionary is just a little special. Left facers are not common but what is unusual is to find more than one example of the same reverse with head left. I wonder why there are so many types with a left but so few examples of each? Mardvnvm and I each have coins that the other would really like but mine aren't for sale. After all what would I do with four extra limbs when I had no coins to hold in them? The point is whether it is worth collecting a coin that is as poor as these just because they are not found better? I do know a couple coins that are equally rare but I can't afford because the one known is EF and popular.