I Almost Regretted Doing It ...

... almost. I recently received another slabbed Domitian cistophorus. The information card inside the slab stated the coin was in 'fine style'. When you have the likes of Barry Murphy or David Vagi saying it that really means something!




At any rate, out came the hammer and soon the coin was freed. I thought it more important to be able to hold this beauty in hand rather than keep it tied to an esteemed rating.


Domitian
AR Cistophorus, 10.28g
Rome mint (for Asia), 95 AD
RIC 855 (C). BMC p. 352 *. RSC 407. RPC 875 (2 spec.).
Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: Temple with two columns, inscribed ROM ET AVG in entablature, enclosing Augustus. stg. front to l., with spear, crowned by Roma to r., with cornucopiae; G in exergue
Acquired from Emerald Imports, eBay, May 2018.

A small issue of cistophori were struck by Domitian in 95. The style and six o'clock die axis point to Rome as the probable mint. Interestingly, K. Butcher and M. Ponting's recent metal analysis of the series reveals it was struck from a different stock of metal than contemporaneous denarii, possibly from recycled republican and early imperial pieces. This rare reverse features the temple of Roma and Augustus at Pergamum copied from the cistophori of Claudius. The temple was erected in 29 BC and was an important centre of the imperial cult in the region. No archaeological remains have been found of the structure, only the coins hint at how it may have appeared. RPC speculates the 'G' in exergue may be the mark of an officina, although, why the Rome mint would use a mint mark on the cistophori and not on any other issues is quite puzzling.

This is what I would call another personal 'grail' coin - not super scarce, but rare enough to fetch a good sum and be somewhat elusive in trade.

 

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Just curious. Now that you've freed the coin from its plastic prison, what do you plan to do with the top half of the holder?

 

That's a tough one, David—but take it from a recovering slab addict —you did the right thing !

 

That's a good question. Wanting to keep the NGC information with the coin is what caused my slight hesitation about cracking it out of prison. I thought about tucking the NGC card inside the envelope with the coin, but I don't know what kind of paper stock it is printed on. I keep all my discarded dealer slabs, holders, 2x2s, etc., in separate coin boxes - for now that will have to do.

 

Everytime a slab is cracked, an angel gets its wings.

 

Domitian can breathe.... A gorgeous looking coin with a wonderful portrait.

 

It would be an interesting experiment to send a freed NGC graded coin to another leading third party coin grading company. Break out an NGC coin and then submit it to PCGS—when that one comes back slabbed—break it free and then submit it to ANACS. Photo documenting the process of course. It wouldn't be cheap and I guess it wouldn't really prove anything other than experts sometimes have different opinions. Never mind

Sorry, I forgot to compliment you on your beautiful coin!

 

That’s a gorgeous coin, and looking so much better out of its slab.

 

Nice coin. Congrats.

I believe the tickets are on acid free paper, but I’ll ask today to be sure.

Barry Murphy.

 

Now that's a great coin @David Atherton

 

Another superb acquisition David. One day I will have to add one like this tony own collection.

 

@Deacon Ray, don´t be evil...

 

All components of the slab, from the plastic, to the core to the label are inert, archival quality materials.

PCGS doesn't grade ancients.

Barry Murphy

 

What a fine portrait, and so much larger an ancient silver work of art than the more usual denarius.

 

It would be an interesting experiment to send a freed NGC graded coin to another leading third party coin grading company.

People do this all the time with US coins, usually hoping to get a better grade.

 

Congrats on the gorgeous coin @David Atherton ! Fun to have wonderful affirmation through the slab, but to free them again so that you can hold them in hand. Akin to the "Catch-and-Release" process in fishing.

I see you are using envelopes (cool!). I store and display my coins with OPEN Safflips, placed in the 2"x4" slots within an album. It allows me to put attributes, and past tags, etc. in the top pocket of the Saflip. I ALWAYS put the slab tag in that top pocket as I feel it is a valuable provenance that rides with the coin. I also have the Number on file so that I can look it up on the NGC site...

Personally, I am not worried about the Slab tags, as I am sure that @Barry Murphy will confirm they are acid-free. My albums are inspired by the Scrapbooking/Memories craze that swept the nation back in the 90's. It works well for me.

Here is my example of storage, and keeping all my tags together. Unfortunately, I have to keep import papers, etc. in a separate file.



Yeah, they take up some room, but there is a lot of concentrated value in those small spaces, and it is a great way for me to store and show them. All the info is there, and I can turn the pages to see the complete coin and all the attributes, tags, provenances. If Grandkids are too young, they can see them without getting the coin out of the Saflip. For everyone else, I can easily pull the coin out and let them FEEL History.

 

Thanks for checking Barry! I will certainly keep the ticket with the coin in the envelope.

 

Thank you, @RAGNAROK ! I confess—I was tempted by the Archfiend . Pray for me.

 

Great coin @David Atherton !