Just got back from Israel and had to have this for my Christmas present (and birthday, etc...). I have identified it as an AR denarius RIC,207 Augustus. Lyon 82. Silver weight is 3.77 grams. I also have certificate of authenticity. I intend to get it graded. Any comments (grading service, whats your grade) or additional history would be appreciated. Thanks.
The reverse shows Gaius and Lucius Caesar, sons of Agrippa and favored heirs of Augustus. Had they not died, one would have been the next emperor rather than Tiberius. This is a popular coin in part because of its ready availability. Currently for sale on Vcoins ("retail") Previously sold in CNG auctions Previously sold in various other auctions (paid subscription required to see prices realized)
[QUOTE="PHanagriff, post: 3242556, member:...AR denarius RIC,207 Augustus. Lyon 82...[/QUOTE] That’s a beautiful coin, @PHanagriff ! I used to send all of my coins to NGC for slabbing but I've grown to prefer them un-slabbed. I like being able to examine the edges and admire their thickness.
Grades are for schoolboys. But that coin is saweet! Coingrats!! Here's mine. Such a nice coin I couldn't resist taking a bite
Israel is one of the most amazing places in the world to visit. If you include a side trip to Jordan it’s even better. Save your money on getting it graded and buy another coin!
My rule of thumb about grading is that it is worth sending it in if its value would be increased by more than cost of sending it in. Ancient coins’ values stand up well on their own, so it is not worth sending in. Modern coins are a completely different story.
Here’s a thread on your coin. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/augustus-denarius-might-be-my-new-favorite.309770/#post-2973722
Graded coins by NGC (only) do sell for more now but only if they will grade at very high grades (AU or MS) and will appeal to people who do not regularly collect ancients and only want the popular ones but have no interest in learning a lot about them. You coin is damaged and not high grade but is a popular type. I doubt it would gain value but the only way you would know is to sell the coin. If you now are planning to sell the coin, why did you buy it? If your only interest in ancients is day trading quick profits, you are asking for help in the wrong place and you have selected the grade of coin that will sell for no profit for quite a while unless you find a buyer who knows less about them than you do.
It's an interesting coin, but slabbing and grading won't increase neither its interest nor value Although it has sat in FAC Best of type gallery for a while (and been kicked off), mine isn't graded and will never be while in my possession ROMAN EMPIRE, AUGUSTUS Denarius, RIC 207 Rome mint, 2 BC CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE, Laureate head of Augustus right AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT, Caius and Lucius holding shields and spears 3,65 gr Ref : RCV # 1597, Cohen # 43, RIC # 207 Q
Here is my coin. It was found about three or four years ago by a good friend of mine, in Portugal by metal detector together a dozen coins of the same type:
