Didn't know I had so many already...

About an hour ago I decided to pull out all my sestertii together onto the table, the first time I've done that. I didn't know that I had accumulated 20 so far with many coming just this year (and even this summer).

I know it probably doesn't compare to many others, but it surprised me. . Here's photos of the grouping:




It makes quite the pile of holders lol


Next one I'm on the lookout for is a decently priced Trajan.

I'd love to see any of your groups/sets sprawled out on a table, mingling with each other. Or anything you feel is relevant.

 

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I love seeing big spreads. Those are some great bronzes.

I prefer "coinporn" like this over pile on threads of emperors or some other game that we have.

I rarely post spreads, but I will this time around, with several not shared.

the 1815 Parma was my #1 goal coin I wanted for 2019 & I was able to get it for under $60. And really the hole doesn't bother me.

 

Here's a bunch of LRB"s in a pile.



I also have many more. This was an "uncleaned" hoard I bought in a fixed price sale from a dealer in the UK. 1/2 kilogram to be exact.

 

Nice collection Justin,

Can you spot the tooled one ?

 

Coins add up fast, and before you know it you have a bigger collection than you imagined: This is the last time I photographed the entire collection.



Since then I've sold 17 or 18 of the coins pictured here, but I've added about 30 new coins. So the collection has grown further.

I should really save up and order a coin cabinet.

 

Row 2 coin 4 is the obvious choice. Was this a trick question?

 

No trick question Doug. Congrats well spotted.

 

I like pile pictures. Here are my favorite sestertii:

 

Those are GREAT, Ken!! Thank you for sharing!

 

Ackkk! What did you see that made you decide that so quickly and decidedly? Amazing! Simply amazing!

 

Here are the coins currently setting on "Ol' Gnarly".

 

@dougsmit

And, probably most importantly, accurate conclusion per the original poster!? I'm going to cut the through the muck and admit I am most envious and admiring of your obvious knowledge. Despite your breadth of knowledge, I've come to admire your . . . tact and diplomacy on this site. Please. What did you see that made you make up your mind so firmly and quickly?
Very best regards, David

 

I can't speak for Doug, but within a few seconds I also identified the tooled sestertius, despite being infinitely less experienced than him. That coin is the most eye-catching in the group with the "glowing" (faux) patina around Hadrian contrasted against the dark patina of the rest of the coin so it was the very first piece my eyes were drawn to. Looking at the details one can quickly tell that the hair and beard are extremely crisp despite being the high points most prone to wear, with the visible original wear on the untooled, naturally patinated periphery confirming that Hadrian's bust was tampered with. Same story with the reverse. I didn't post because without having any fresh interesting pile pictures to share I'd just be spoiling everyone's fun. Stick around a while and study what the experts here have to say and you'll see it easily too.

 

I have but one sestertius, a gift from @Ken Dorney . It is always with me in my wallet.



But I have over 300 of these buggers!

 

I appreciate your projection that I can learn to see what you saw. Thank you for your explanation, @Plumbata! I will try try to see what you saw in those photos!

 

That's a gorgeous pile of chunky ol' sestertii, @Justin Lee!

I don't have very many sestertii, but I do love group shots. Here are my Republican and Imperatorial denarii cozying up with each other.

 

Great shots folks

Here's a more "organized" group shot of my third century sestertii (Pupienus and Mariniana aren't with me anymore though)



Q

 

I love the Fecund Augustae type of Faustina, Justin.

 

Plumbata most certainly CAN speak for me. I think he did a fine job here. Here is another clue: People who own an untooled coin in the condition of that one probably paid so much for it that they would not think of laying it out in a group of 'regular collector grade' coins. That is why I asked if the test was a trick. I know that I must own some coins that I may not realize are tooled but I hope they started as 'Good' and were tooled into 'Very Good'. Those are harder for me to spot than coins that end up in 'Proof'.

 

i didn't spot it until i looked up close..(and after Doug said)..