Hell has frozen over: L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi denarius

I can't believe it...it seems like a dream, but I actually won a lot on CNG Auctions. It only took me 3 months and bidding on two dozen lots, but I finally did it. The problem is that CNG is just too popular, and someone is always willing to pay more, even if it is twice what you can purchase the coin for somewhere else.

But anyway, the point is that I finally won something:


378, Lot: 425. Estimate $100.


L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi. 90 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.81 g, 3h). Rome mint. Laureate head of Apollo right; XII to left / Horseman galloping right, holding palm branch and reins; XIIII above, ROMA monogram below. Crawford 340/1; Sydenham 661; Calpurnia 12. VF, toned, a couple of light scratches on the obverse.

From Group SGF.

Current Status
378, Lot: 425.
Closing Date And Time: Jul 13, 2016 at 12:21:40 p.m. ET.
Current Date And Time: Jul 13, 2016 at 12:55:58 p.m. ET.
Currently: $110. High Bidder Sallent. Bidders (4).

Yes, I probably overpaid in comparison to if I had gone to a coin show, but honestly, I've seen these going on vcoins in similar condition for around $160-$200, and I've been outbid as high as $140 on one of these in the past on CNG. Bottom line is that I really wanted one and I wasn't willing to wait for the FUN show in January to get one.

I think what finally did it is the two scratches on the obverse by the face on the coin. It probably kept the "always overpay" crowd at bay, allowing me to win it at my maximum bid.

She is far from perfect, but I like the portrait and the control marks on both sides.

 

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Nice catch @Sallent I really like the reverse on this coin. The current worries over a possible postal lockout/strike has made me reluctant to bid on auctions these days. This was the first CNG e-auction in quite some time where I did not place a bid.

Congrats!

 

ARGGH! Work has been so busy that I completely forgot about today's auction. Looks like some of the coins on my watch list went for good prices. Oh well, next time.

Congrats on your win

 

Does anyone else think the L on the reverse, being barely present, and the raised lines in the area where it is, are evidence of an attempt to repair the ancient die prior to striking, or evidence of metal being taken away from the flan prior to striking to bring the flan within the weight tolerances? Whatever it is, looks like something was going on prior to this coin being struck. It didn't affect my desire to buy it either way, but I am curious as to what it could be.

 

it's a nice lookin' frugi for sure!

 

Very nice, congrats.


L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi (90 B.C.)
AR Denarius
O: Laureate Head of Apollo right; symbol behind.
R: L PISO FRVGI, horseman, holding palm frond and reins, on horse galloping right; symbol below.
Rome Mint
3.33g
19mm
Crawford 340/1

 

Its a nice coin and a good price. Republican denarii in decent condition usually sell around $150-200, even for the most common. This one was right on the price (after commission), even a little cheap. I would expect it to sell about $150. About prices at CNG. While we often shake our heads and wonder who paid as much as they did, I often see coins selling far below what they should have. Remember, they estimate very low and start at 60%. This can lead us to think incorrectly about values.

 

Glad you have have SELF CONTROL lol I spent $1200 on CNG today for 3 Denarius

 

Ditto for me! This auction closing completely slipped my mind. Probably a blessing in disguise. I've been too successful winning auction lots the past three months, and I really need to dig myself out of debt.

 

It should be around $135 with auction fees and shipping. If you think that's good, then it must be so. I was kind of wondering if it was a little too much (as these are common), but either way I'm happy I won it.

 

Nice you have Self Control I spent $1200 on CNG today for 3 Denarius.

Yikes!!

Julius Caesar, Nero, Titus... since I got my money back on my fakes.

 

I've seen some coins go because I wasn't willing to bid a little extra, even if it meant bidding $5 or $10 above what I said was the maximum I would pay. It's not easy, but the last thing I want to do is overbid. I already did that accidentally when I bid on the wrong coin last month at an Agora sponsored auction. This Balbus was very expensive lesson on why i should pay more attention before bidding (probably overpaid $50 on it).

Oh well, I learned my lesson and I've warmed up to the coin, even if it was the wrong coin, and an expensive lesson. I may have to hang on to it for 8-10 years before the prices equal what I paid for it, but I don't plan on selling anyways.

 

Congratulations on your win, it is a great coin

 

I am traveling and will post a little later. Agreed with @Ken Dorney , I think you did well!

I won 2 items on CNG, and was Clio'd on 7 others that I bid super low on, so I deserved it. I was actually shotgun bidding to see if I could get a couple cheap. I did. However, my target coin I won at a KILLER hammer! A rare one that I think Clio let me have as a late birthday present (thank you)! I had s big bid on it just in case, but it hammered LOW for me!

 

I'm glad you got your money back!

 

I don't like perfect coins I think an Ancient should look Ancient yours has the right look!

 

Well Bing supplied me with overwhelming evidence...and I did a little homework and found the Caesar was sold in an un-certified lot at Heritage.. for roughly 10% of what I paid.. this isn't a good time to Not know your ___ from a hole in the ground in Ancients.

 

I'm surprised Heritage is in the business of selling fakes, or at least selling coins without looking at them and doing even the most basic due diligence on them. Another reason for me not to bid there, as if I needed another reason.