I seldom bid in CNG auctions. They have good coins, but the prices also seem high. Today, I broke with tradition and bid on a coin (yes I stole the pic from the CNG web site cause I did not win). The coin was below estimate ($100) until a couple of minutes before close, so I bid twice the estimate and had the high bid until 2 seconds and wahla, the coin sold for 3.2 times estimate. Anonymous Victoriatus, Spearhead. Mint in southeast Italy, 211-210 BC Laureate head of Jupiter right / Victory standing right, crowning trophy; upright spearhead between. VF, toned. Overstruck (on a denarius?). 19mm, 3.28 g, 6h Crawford 83/1a; Sydenham 223; RBW 336; RSC 24m. From the RBW Collection. Ex Leo Benz Collection (Lanz 88, 23 November 1998), lot 72; Rauch 28 (18 January 1982), lot 136. CNG e-auction 374, Lot: 424, 5/11/16 Estimate $100; Sold for $320. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee. I read the CNG description and saw, “Overstruck (on a denarius?)” and thought neat! Then I looked at the weight and noticed 3.28 grams, low for a pre 210 BC denarius. A quick glance at pre-spearhead denarii and the coin would have been exceptionally low => the overstrike was on a smaller coin. When you look closer, the coin looks to be a double strike. The obverse is rotated little from the original. The top reverse strike looks to be rotated about 170 degrees from the original. I looked through Steve Brinkman’s web site and did not find a better fit. What do you think? Post your Victoratii. http://stevebrinkman.ancients.info/anonymous/AnonymousVictoriatii.html
I agree, simply a double strike. My Spearhead victoriatus, also ex RBW and recently ex CNG. This one estimated $100(or maybe $150) and went for $150+juice: And here's a nice Cr. 70/1 anonymous victoriatus struck at a Sicilian mint in a very different style but unfortunately way overcleaned: Also, I've got another victoriatus I'll share soon(maybe tonight if I have a change to take pictures and edit), a nice, scarce MP series victoriatus.
I feel your pain, for I also got Clio'd at yesterday's auction ... https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=311962 ... I was leading until the final bell rang ... I'm always a wee bit bitter when I see that Clio stole the coin from my clutches!!
