Dreaded Calculation

Perhaps I am the only one here that dreads going back over the year's coin purchases in order to determine just how much money I spent. I keep saying I'm going to add up my entire collection, but the thought of knowing the total just scares the bejesus out of me.

Anyway, this year to date, I have purchased 55 coins, with the total dollars spent being $2,297. This breaks down to an average of $41.76 per coin. So it's not near as bad as I thought.

My most expensive coin was the Valens Solidus at $263 shipped

VALENS
AV Solidus
OBVERSE: DN VALENS PER F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: RESTITVTOR REIPUBLICAE, Valens standing right, holding labarum in right hand & Victory on globe in left, cross to left. Mintmark star ANTE star
Struck at Antioch, 364 AD
3.6g, 19mm
Antioch RIC 2d,xxxvii-5

My least expensive was the Troas, Assos AE10 at $7 shipped

TROAS, ASSOS
AE10
OBVERSE: Helmeted head of Athena left
REVERSE: AΣ-ΣI, Bucranium
Struck at Assos 400-300 BC
1.18 g, 10.2 mm
SNG Cop 241; BMC 8

 

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I don't look at it as money spent, but rather as enjoyment gained. Going by that measurement, I earned a lot of joy over the last month and a half.

 

Inspired by your post, I did my own calculation. Afterwards I poured myself a glass of wine.

Do you include shipping charges and buyer's fees? If I include all that I may have to pour another glass of wine.

 

Yes. The total dollars includes all shipping and fees.
I was afraid I would have to "go off the wagon" when I started the calculation. I suspect there are some among us that will need that glass of wine (or two) if they do their own calculation.

 

If that's the case - Cheers mate!

 

I love that Gold Valens jw, if you want to bring your cost average down i'll give you $363 for it!

 

I like them both. Getting a Greek bronze with good surfaces and a type not just someone standing there strikes me as a deal for $7. Undamaged gold for triple melt? You could have paid that much for bullion from a gouger.

I don't look at the yearly number but my database displays the total for the whole bunch since the start at the bottom of that column. You don't need to know. There are single coins in the upcoming Triton sale with higher estimates.

 

As I grow older I tend to keep certain words of a wise friend of mine in my head. He told me that sometimes you have to be appropriately selfish. This from the most generous person I have ever known.

It took a while but I no longer regret purchases I make for myself.

 

Thanks, but no thanks my friend. It's my only gold piece and the price was more than right. However, if I do decide to get rid of it, you'll be the first to know.

 

To be totally honest, the Greek for $7 is just as treasured as the gold for $263. Thanks for the encouraging comments.

 

Beautiful ancients -!!

 

OK, I had to do it too. I spent $1,383.00 for 9 coins, which averages out to $153.66 per coin. I expect my average per coin to be lower next year as I will be getting quite a few Greek bronzes and fractional silvers, and those for the most part cost a bit less than my current average.

To be honest, only 2 coins account for half of my expenditures. If I take them out my per coin average was much lower. I'm referring of course to that Alexander III tetradrachm in XF condition and that almost Mint State Trajan Mars denarii.

NOT CHEAP


EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE

 

both fantastic in their price brackets bing...i see no reason for dread here at all!

i don't know how much i spent on coins this year. maybe i should have spent more since it hasn't freaked me out that much?

 

Once I did the calculation, I was pleased with the amount I spent; however, before I tallied it all up, I was dreading the total. Thanks for the compliments.

 

I just did the calculation. If I minus the cost of the solidus and divide by 54, the cost average would look more like $36.98 per coin. I can live with that. But I'll still keep my solidus.

 

I was just teasing jw, that's a great coin at a great price! you still have the best cost avg. i don't total or keep track, just pile it up!!

 

I've enjoyed the new pickups you've shown over the course of the year, at both ends of the scale, and am totally envious of your thrifty self-control.

I'm dreading the final calculation here, but dammit, the year isn't over yet!

 

I've kept very detailed records and I'm unwilling to calculate the total cost because it's too early to start drinking...and I have to go to work today.

 

Ugh several thousand dollars ... while most coins were under $200, i did buy that Uranius Antoninus!

 

You've done extremely well Bing. I wish i was american and had the buying power of the USD. Everything is 30% more expensive for me