I have expressed my opinion that it is too early to post my ten favorites of 2017 because I hoped to add another winner. However I am comfortable posting these ten which you might term losers even though I do like most of them because I doubt they will be joined by more of their category. I have no shows to attend befor January and few coins like these turn up in big auctions. The image below shows my ten least expensive purchases of 2017. Actually, I had to fudge a bit here to get ten since the Caracalla at $30 was one of three coins that price but I did not want to show more or fewer than ten so.... 1. $30 Caracalla denarius / Sol coin show 2. $29 Manuel I half tetarteron mail auction 3. $28 Aurelian Alexandria tetradrachm mail auction 4. $20 Probus antoninianus coin show 5. $15 Gallienus with reverse referring to the army EXERCIT eBay 6, $15 Saguntum AE16 coin show 7. $15 Bosporos AE Thothorses/Diocletian coin show 8. $15 Bosporos AE Rhadamsades/Licinius coin show 9. $14 Constantinopolis Commemorative Trier mint mail auction 10. $10 Constantius II AE3/4 FH Rome mint coin show That is $191 for ten coins. The question we each must ask is whether we would rather have these ten coins on one nicer coin that cost $191. This year I did not buy a single coin for that figure but I do have one for $180 so I'll show it to illustrate the point. Which is the better use of the money - the first nine above ($181) or the single below? Opinions will differ and include 'none of this junk' as a perfectly fair option. I prefer to think that most would like the coin below more than any single from the low price group but even that is not a certainty in this hobby where we can select from thousands upon thousands of options. For the money, which is the best coin? That, too, will never be a matter of agreement. Right at this second, I might say #7 but ask me again in an hour and the answer might change. $180 Magnentius AE1 Trier mint Chi-rho reverse coin show (For the record, this is not in my top 10 either - it was a very good year.)
I'm most drawn to the two Bosporan coins, but I really like the Aurelian tet and the Gallienus too. (And of course the Magnentius, but like Nathan401 I'd choose the group over the single any day.)
As a budget collector myself, you are my hero @dougsmit. I would take the 10 coins over one that cost the same as the 10.
I would take at least 6 of those 10 coins into my collection easily. I'm going to try to be a cheap budget collector next year as I try to use most of my hobby money to decorate my home with a vintage look and feel. Seeing the OP post inspires me to know that being cheap doesn't mean one has to settle for unattractive coins.
I'd take the 10 very nice but lower cost coins... but that Magnentius is great too. I have one of those I bought for the cost of one of your group of 10... but mine is uuuugly. I'm not usually a "condition is everything" type collector as I like interesting even if ugly coins... but that Constantinopolis Commemorative is probably my favorite because it is total eye candy!
Good value coins Doug, I like 9 & 10 the most as Randy has actually got me interested in fallen horseman to the point I have been browsing and yours is a beauty as well.
I like the single Magnentius, but I am greedy so I would take the 10. 'Specially since several of them are really attractive! 2,3,6,7,8,9,10.
If I were to lay out all of my 2017 coin purchases in a row from cheapest to the most expensive, and then divide them into two piles of equal value, the larger pile would contain ten times as many coins as the smaller pile. The larger pile would have an average cost per coin of $27, and the smaller pile an average cost per coin of $283. On that basis, I guess my answer to your question is that I'll take all eleven coins I like your Magnentius, but I really love the thrifty list. They're all great buys in my book, but #5 and #9 are my favorites.
Usually, I'd prefer the one nicer coin than ten cheaper ones most of the time nowadays. But that was not always the case with me. My "less is more" philosophy is only about four years old. (I did a major purge and transitioned to the current "Eclectic Box" in 2013, focusing on quality over quantity. Which isn't to suggest that quality can't be found in less-expensive coins, of course. It definitely can!) Of your group of ten, the ones I like best are #6, the Saguntum AE16, for its interesting design, and #9, the Constantinopolis Commemorative, for its eye appeal. Given the opportunity to purchase any of your ten for $19-20 apiece on average (or the prices you paid), would I have? Yes, most probably so. They're a neat assortment. Given the opportunity to purchase that big, scowly, jowly Magnentius AE1 for $180, would I have? Probably not, in this case- but not because there's anything wrong with it at all. It's just more of a specialist's coin, perhaps, and I am nonspecialized and not particularly into late Roman bronze. So not my personal cuppa tea, is all. It is a neat coin, though. That baleful Basset Hound portrait is fun, and I like the history behind the Chi-Rho.
I would prefer the group of 10 over the single $180 coin. But then again, I don't know enough about the Magnentius to know what I would be missing out on!
There’s the coin. And then there’s the experience of buying the coin—the research, education, comparative shopping, write up for the flip, etc. For me, buying a coin involves the whole experience. I’ll take the 10 Coins and 10x the learning.
Ten vs One? I would take the ten. All great coins, including the Chi Rho! This next year is likely to be budget year. I hope to find budget friendly as nice your 10!!
Thanks for sharing. It's a great list. I like the Caracalla in particular. As for 1 or 10, well I was firmly in the 'one' camp but I've really been enjoying peoples budget lists so I think I'll be trying for a mix of both in 2018.
I would prefer one, but not Magnentius. Better a Tet of Alexander The Great of medium condition and, of course, a little bit of luck.
Well, with Doug's picks, I'd definitely go with those ten....but I rarely find such terrific bargains---perhaps I should attend coin shows or hire Doug as my 'agent'
