Picked up 2 more Emperors’ denarii

Wow! Please post a picture of the Athenian!

I agree with your thoughts on buying. In the past year I haven't been out much, and the money I would have normally spent at restaurants etc, has gone into silver and coins.

It's like a private bank account!

 

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Hesitate posting on this thread because I don’t want to make someone potentially feel bad. That being said, I think for new ancient collectors it’s difficult not to pay more for a coin if it’s NGC slabbed. Seeing that nice grade with the NGC slab could bias towards thinking a coin is worth more than it may be. Here’s the same coin that sold in July of last year:



To me, quality of the reverse is about the same, only slightly less legible legend in some areas. Obverse, I think, is better condition.

This was graded by the auction house (CNG) as Good VF, hammered for $150+18.5% fee. I’d say CNGs grade is on the mark.

Going back to OPs coin, I think this particular NGC grade was too high in comparison. So, I think the slabbing probably had some influence on purchase price.

That being said, it doesn’t really matter. I have definitely overpaid a bit here and there because I just really wanted that specific coin. As long as it’s not overpaying by a significant degree like some coins that we’ve all had a good chuckle at in other threads lately, then no harm in admitting overpaying occurred. It’s a lovely coin and happy to see a new active poster

 

Sure here it is . I just got it last month.

 

Well actually one of the few things NGC does guarantee is the grade.

It’s very possible CNG undergraded the VF one.

Mine hammered for $192 + BP.

 

Sure do love that owl, it speaks to me! Nice pick up!

 

Thanks me too!

I love that not only is it a super old coin but it’s also a pretty decent sized coin. Over half a troy ounce of silver.

It makes it feel like a significant coin having that hefty-ness.

Then again it was 4 days wages so it would’ve been a pretty significant coin even in those days.

 

Oh, I thought those were much smaller!

That's a nice size coin! The oldest one I've gotten so far is an 1198-1219 silver tram of Levon. It's a pretty small coin but like it a lot!

 

I consider slabs training wheels for collectors coming over to ancients from modern coin collecting. Someday, after a lot practice and education, they will not need them.

Regardless, great coins @Gam3rBlake. Your next one should of course be a Titus!

 

If you won the coins in an HA auction, I can almost guarantee that you (over)paid for the slab, and whatever 'piece of mind' that it gives you.

It's not necessary for you to justify your preference for slabs; especially as a brand new collector. Some people choose to collect loose coins, some choose to collect slabs (as @dougsmit put it).

Some may see themselves as collectors; others as investors, and even others as a little bit of both.

Different strokes.