I know it's a bit after the fact, but did anyone feel like bidding on the last Leu auction was a bit light? No complaints here as I managed to snag three upgrades and fill one hole! Hole filler - Augustus posthumous issue DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER, Radiate head right S-C/PROVIDENT, Altar RIC 81 Struck under Tiberius, AD 22-30 This one wasn't exactly cheap, but being just a smidge off center knocked probably 75% off the value, compared to other comparable pieces. Upgrade 1 Marcus Agrippa AE As M AGRIPPA L F COS III, Bare head right S-C, Neptune standing left, holding dolphin and trident Struck under Caligula Replacing: This is a coin type that is quite affordable if corroded, but shoots from $75-100 at VF with corrosion to $500+ for coins without corrosion. My new add I feel is at the sweet spot just before the price curve goes exponential - incidentally, I think I paid the same price for both of my examples. Upgrade 2 Domitian AR DeMarcus IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XII, Laureate head right IMP XXII COS XVI CENS P P P, Minerva striding right, owl at feet. Replacing: I bought the old Domitian as one of my first purchases after I decided to get serious to try to collect all the emperors, but back then I wanted a great portrait and nothing else. I had since upgraded most of my coins, and the weak reverse strike and not-round flan just didn't "fit" anymore. Upgrade 3 Aelia Flaccilla AE2 AEL FLAC-CILLA AVG, Diademed mantled bust right SALVS REI-PVBLICAE / SMHA, Victory seated, inscribing chi-rho onto shield set on podium Replacing: Not so much of an upgrade per se, but I have found that coins with the glossy black patina are nearly impossible to see in my binder without removing them to catch the light just right. For this one I will honestly probably keep both, to have one of each reverse. As always, relevant coins or comments welcome!
I am still kicking myself for missing the Saturday section Steve, I had a couple in my sights but got sidetracked and missed them both. Bidding, as you pointed out was not strong on either which surprised me. Sunday only had the 1 coin I wanted and I was lucky enough to get it for less than expected, not sure what the reasons were. Nice pick ups & upgrades.
I don't seem to have received any email notifications of the sale. Maybe they skimped on their advertising this time... much to your advantage! Those are four very sweet coins!
Thanks guys! This was an e-sale, so no overly fancy catalog in the mail, although the sale was pretty heavily advertised on Biddr - about a third of the slots in the "featured" rotation were for this auction for a couple weeks before the sale. I put in a lot of middling bids, although this is the one I really wish I had actually gone for: https://leunumismatik.com/en/lot/20/581 IMO it sold for probably 1/2 of what it should have.
@Severus Alexander, we are talking about the Feb 22 auction, unless I too have missed 1 since. @Finn235, how strange that you post the " type " I missed I wanted 1 with the snake reverse, this was the only offering and sold for 150sf
Oh! In that case I can happily report some successes too, plus one that got away. Commodus, Marcianopolis, 25mm 7.57g. I have a Three Graces type of Gordian III, and I think of this as an upgrade to that coin. (It's darker and more pleasant in hand.) Most here won't get too excited by this coin, but I was pleased to get it at a good price. It's a scarce Tahirid revolt coin (issued AH 206 = 821-22). It cites Tahir I ibn al-Husayn as "Dhu'l-Yaminayn" which means "possessor of two right hands." What this is supposed to mean I'm not entirely sure! This is a Zengid fals of al-Malik al-Salih Isma'il issued c. 1173-1181. I find it amazing that 4th-5th century Roman bronzes were used as a model for coinage nearly eight centuries later! Here's the one that got away: https://leunumismatik.com/en/lot/20/1563 It's not listed as such, but I'm pretty sure it's a 68/1b, with the "Bastianelli spike" recently described by @red_spork. Moreover it has the second cape, on the front Dioscurus - according to @Fugio1 this is only found on a few specimens of 68/1b. I was the underbidder. I wonder if red_spork or Fugio1 picked it up! (Actually I felt a bit guilty not giving them a heads-up about it... but I elected to have a go at it myself & try to get it cheap. ) Overall I wouldn't say I found the prices all that low. (Maybe by the standards of the usual Leu auction.)
I didn't win this one but I did see it. I've been taking a little bit of a break to focus on other hobbies. It's a great example but fugio1 has one of the best I've ever seen of 68/1b so I doubt he bought it but his doesn't have that second cape so it's definitely possible.
OK, phew, thanks for relieving my lingering feelings of guilt! I wonder if the person who bought this knows what it is.
I didn't bid on the RRC 68/1b because I already have an example, albeit without the extra cape: I'm saving my funds for a 68/1a with corn ear symbol which is considerably more scarce. I haven't seen one offered for years.
I bought the only one I've ever seen offered. Not the greatest coin but you take what you can get with rarities like this. I finally got around to actually photographing it lately so I don't have to share the dealer's photo anymore:
I was the successful bidder on a sestertius of Faustina I with a veiled bust and on a SALVS antoninianus of Trebonianus Gallus.
Congrats to all. SA, I am a big fan of A few years ago, I asked a dealer if I could take a photo of his 3 Graces oil lamp. He reluctantly said yes. I will try to find the pic.
