Scarce doesn't equal expensive

I have more collecting themes that I can count now. So many that I have generally given up trying discipline and just buying coins I like for some reason or another. That's just the way that I get pleasure out of collecting. It does mean that I buy coins other people wouldn't look twice at but I just don't care.

I have a penchant for Mars types, particularly those of Probus. The following coin was around $25, which isn't bargain basement pricing, especially in this condition but it would appear to be a scarce minor variety making it of interest to me.

Finding coins that are not listed in RIC for Probus isn't difficult because RIC is atrocious for Probus collectors. Bastien provides a good coverage for Lugdunum collectors and Alföldi provides the best coverage we have for Siscia. This coin isn't included in RIC for this officina but it isn't one that is found in Alföldi either though it isn't unexpected.

For a Probus specialist this one became a purchase despite the condition and uneven strike and at $25 seemed too good to pass by.

Probus
Obv:– IMP PROBVS AVG, Radiate bust left in imperial mantle, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle.
Rev:– VIRTVS PROBI AVG, Mars walking right, holding spear and trophy
Minted in Siscia (_ | T // XXI), Emission 7, Officina 3. A.D. 280
Reference:– RIC 815 Bust Type H var (not listed for this officina) ; Alföldi type 96, n° -. (Not listed for this officina by Alföldi)



Martin

 

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We often say that rarity has little to do with price/value unless that rarity is accompanied by a high demand for the coin. The curse of collecting as I practice it is a relatively low number of people with whom I can talk about my treasures as I define 'treasures'. The large number of one-per-ruler Roman collectors who consider any Mint State coin of Probus infinitely more desirable than a scarce variation (Probus has thousands of them) in Very Fine let alone one with striking flaws or damage.

Of course, this has an upside when the specialist, for example Martin, sees a coin like this which most of us would let go without notice and certainly would not bid him up were the coin to appear in a sale. I do not particularly collect Probus and I do not particularly like coins with Mars. I'm not even always sure when I should ID a figure as Mars as opposed to Virtus. As a general collector of way too many low priced coins, I happen to have a few Probus/Mars but lack the education or interest that would make me appreciate why the OP coin is 'better' than any of mine (all of which are 'better' in some other sense). Do you?


I remember all too well the time almost no one wanted my cherished Eastern Severan denarii. Many of them were not listed in RIC or other books available in that day which says more about the state of RIC than about the rarity or desirability by any definition of the coins. I recall one dealer saying in public forum that mints other than Rome were not to be collected because they had poor style and were worthless. OK.

It would be easier if all of us collected by the same gameplan and the same wantlist but that would ruin the hobby for guys like me. I enjoy our hobby being relatively free of the tyranny of the Red Book and Gray Sheet. It is good when a coin I don't particularly want or understand finds a home with someone who sees it with special fondness.

 

Great new addition, Martin (congrats on continuing to build an amazing Probus collection!!)

 

=> well said ... I'm also very glad that we have varied tastes (it certainly keeps the ol' price-tags a bit lower)

 

That´s one of the best features in ancient coin collecting.

 

I'm really becoming a fan of Probus coins. Nice examples Martin and Doug.

 

=> he is a very sharp dresser!!

 

I agree with both Martin and Doug. I am in the same boat. I have so many mini-specialties going I kind of ping pong all over the place. My last purchases have been:

1. Kuninda silver
2. Carolingian silver
3. Group lot of Syracuse mint Byzantine
4. Lead tesserae from Egypt
5. Two bronze Sassanian
6. Group of Byzantine miliaresia

As you can see, it APPEARS I am all over the board, but every purchase was planned and filled a gap in a sub-collection. Even if they weren't, (I have been known to buy group lots of coins completely new to me), who cares? That new group lot will probably lead me in a new direction, and get me to read about history I might not otherwise have paid as much attention to.

Like Doug, I relish being free of "Red Book oppression", and love to simply buy what I wish to buy when I am able. Its my relaxation, my education, my passion. There is no right or wrong way to buy, and I am glad I have found others who understand that as well.

 

I am especially fond of coins from certain eras, but I have no specialties. Whatever comes my way that I like and I can afford. I see so many types here on this forum that just make me want an example. If it's Greek or Roman, I'm all over it like stink on.........

 

Very nice. Not what I collect but I like them.

 

i don't have a probus mars to share...here's my last (and only second) probus coins. nobody wanted it either, so i gave it a home.



here is a list of my main collecting areas..

1. coins that are neat that i can afford

 

It's hard to believe no one wanted that. It's a great coin! Nice centering, very interesting reverse, clear devices. What's not to love?

 

I'm with TIF. Nice clean coin. Well centered. Great details. If someone doesn't want this coin, they should find a new hobby.

 

@marauding I like your latest pick up and Mars types are something I want to expand into.

I'm unqualified to talk about unlisted varieties and have no idea about scarce coins but as trade token collector, I can absolutely relate. I get tons of pleasure finding tokens unlisted in the primary reference, unlisted varieties, or discovering errors with the reference. And in many cases could pick these tokens up cheaply as there are few collectors.

 

I am shocked no one wanted it. Architectural types are usually popular. I really like the coin.

 

Nice dark patina WOW

 

Wow. A profoundly ignorant statement from a very narrow perspective! It's too bad hardly any collectors agree with this, otherwise all those beautiful provincials would go much cheaper!

 

Not to mention that there are eras in which quality control at the Rome mint lagged, and their issues were hardly anything to write home about.

 

Myself, I refuse to collect Tetrarchy Rome mint issues. I find their style very pedestrian, preferring eastern mints instead. Anyone to say only the mint of Rome had any artistry is simply silly. Antioch could compete with Rome in artistry in almost any time period. MAYBE one could say Rome issues were superior in the first and second century, MAYBE. After that, such a statement is laughable, (especially after most of the best celators got moved to Constaninople later on).

 

Congrats on one great looking piece and the price makes it even sweeter!