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Do you like my bird? 2nd coin ever and it is an owl
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<p>[QUOTE="Only a Poor Old Man, post: 4190328, member: 111037"]Hi guys,</p><p><br /></p><p>Continuing from my first thread yesterday about my first coin, here is how I ended up with an owl a few days later. Buying my first coin (the Alexander tet) completely unplanned and the ensuing fascination resulting from researching its history, triggered my collecting buds and made me decide to become a coin collector. That initial enthusiasm turned almost immediatelly to obsession, and it led to a Pokemon mode of "Gotta to get them all". As an experienced collector of other things I should have know better and take my time to get books, study, familiarise myself with other ways to buy coins such as auctions, but no, I had to get another coin ASAP to get my fix.</p><p><br /></p><p>So I found myself entering the doors of the same shop only a few days later, and this time I was after an Athenian Owl one of the most iconic coins of ancient times. I was aware it wasn't going to be cheap and I wasn't prepared to settle for a coin that wasn't in good condition... But I had to have one... Unfortunately we live in an age of credit cards and imaginary wealth so I said it was going to be OK as I would put strain on the credit card for the next couple of months until things balance out by the incoming salary. Totaly idiotic, but that's what initial enthusiasm does to you coupled with a hint of mid-life crisis.</p><p><br /></p><p>I ended up with the following coin. Sorry about the photo quality, it is from the initial batch of photos I took of my coins under no ideal lighting conditions.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1076082[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1076081[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>I wanted to get a coin with a centered owl with good details, well defined square die, no test cuts and full ΑΘΕ if possible. I wasn't too bothered about the Athena side, but I managed to get a nice one with an almost full helmet and without a nose-job.</p><p><br /></p><p>I had done a bit of research on what those coins are supposed to weight, and luckily they had some coin scales. My example is 17.18 grams.</p><p><br /></p><p>Rather annoyingly not long after I got the coin I learned about the rumours of that massive hoard thay has flooded the market with affordable owls. I know I could have done better price-wise, and I am having lentils this weekend instead of steak because of this purchase. But I love my owl. There are many like it but this one is mine! <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie33" alt=":cigar:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>The reality is I could have done worse. There are more expensive owls in physical shops out there, and the better owls are still expensive even in auctions. I think I learned my lesson now and have calmed down a bit. I am not sure yet how I am going to go about my collecting from now on. I will avoid high-end coins for a while as it is not financially viable, but from looking around there are many interesting and fascinating coins to be had in VF condition or better for under £200. I will try to focus on them till I learn more... Maybe invest in a book or two...[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Only a Poor Old Man, post: 4190328, member: 111037"]Hi guys, Continuing from my first thread yesterday about my first coin, here is how I ended up with an owl a few days later. Buying my first coin (the Alexander tet) completely unplanned and the ensuing fascination resulting from researching its history, triggered my collecting buds and made me decide to become a coin collector. That initial enthusiasm turned almost immediatelly to obsession, and it led to a Pokemon mode of "Gotta to get them all". As an experienced collector of other things I should have know better and take my time to get books, study, familiarise myself with other ways to buy coins such as auctions, but no, I had to get another coin ASAP to get my fix. So I found myself entering the doors of the same shop only a few days later, and this time I was after an Athenian Owl one of the most iconic coins of ancient times. I was aware it wasn't going to be cheap and I wasn't prepared to settle for a coin that wasn't in good condition... But I had to have one... Unfortunately we live in an age of credit cards and imaginary wealth so I said it was going to be OK as I would put strain on the credit card for the next couple of months until things balance out by the incoming salary. Totaly idiotic, but that's what initial enthusiasm does to you coupled with a hint of mid-life crisis. I ended up with the following coin. Sorry about the photo quality, it is from the initial batch of photos I took of my coins under no ideal lighting conditions. [ATTACH=full]1076082[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1076081[/ATTACH] I wanted to get a coin with a centered owl with good details, well defined square die, no test cuts and full ΑΘΕ if possible. I wasn't too bothered about the Athena side, but I managed to get a nice one with an almost full helmet and without a nose-job. I had done a bit of research on what those coins are supposed to weight, and luckily they had some coin scales. My example is 17.18 grams. Rather annoyingly not long after I got the coin I learned about the rumours of that massive hoard thay has flooded the market with affordable owls. I know I could have done better price-wise, and I am having lentils this weekend instead of steak because of this purchase. But I love my owl. There are many like it but this one is mine! :cigar: The reality is I could have done worse. There are more expensive owls in physical shops out there, and the better owls are still expensive even in auctions. I think I learned my lesson now and have calmed down a bit. I am not sure yet how I am going to go about my collecting from now on. I will avoid high-end coins for a while as it is not financially viable, but from looking around there are many interesting and fascinating coins to be had in VF condition or better for under £200. I will try to focus on them till I learn more... Maybe invest in a book or two...[/QUOTE]
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Do you like my bird? 2nd coin ever and it is an owl
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