Tetradrachm of the First Meris

It's just plain nice when you get back from a trip abroad and the welcome home party includes some new coins . Even more for me when one of them is a type that I've been hankering after for 2 years now.

These First Meris tetradrachms are fairly plentiful on the market, but it's taken me that long to find the right marriage of price, condition and portrait style. The areas of flat striking and a few die flaws on the obverse probably allowed me to pick it up for what I believe is a "nice price" (just under $215 including fees and shipping). Nonetheless, it really is the large, weighty, beautifully-designed and executed piece of silver I imagined it to be. I'm glad to finally have one join my collection.

I've admired the examples that some of you own and have posted before, but would be happy to see them again in this thread. Post away!


MACEDONIA (as Roman Protectorate)
First Meris
AR Tetradrachm
16.83g, 32.1mm
Amphipolis mint, circa 167 - 149 BC.
SNG Cop 1310-1; Prokopov O 52, R 171 (?).
O: Diademed and draped bust of Artemis right, bow and quiver over shoulder, in the center of a Macedonian shield.
R: Club; AP monogram and MAKEΔONΩN above, ΠPΩTHΣ below; all within oak wreath, thunderbolt to left.

 

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I remember about 6-8 years ago when they were about $130 for a fair example - decent centering - good metal - decent style & strike.

The better examples would fetch $160 -225

an amazing piece $350-400

Now Examples like yours can fetch $350 - 400 no problem

Supply & demand / Inflation / Finite Resource

There a beautiful type I think every collection could use one

Nice Pick Up!

 

I agree!

Even in the past 2 years I've been observing with some dismay that the prices seemed to be going up, so I'm happy that I managed to get mine for what I paid. Market prices are of course going to be fluid, and it's possible (even likely) that they will come down again in time.

 

Beautiful coin Zumbly! I really like that club reverse. And I think you got it at a great price. Many of the ones of similar condition I've seen at shows lately trend in the $350-500 range. Well done.

Another type that is on my want list.

 

I'm jealous. The type is perpetually on my buy list but I just can't seem to snag one I want. You found a winner

 

Nice. A must have coin for the junky.
<--- mine.

 

I must be getting old... I could've sworn that you already had one of these. And it was a nice one too... lol! Honestly, that thought made me more determined to snag one of my own. Anyway, your turn now!

 

I did briefly have one (showed it to you in a PM?) but in-hand there was a problem so I returned it, never posting it publicly.

The hunt continues!

 

Curious what was wrong with it? Fake? Damaged?

 

Not fake. It was a gorgeous coin... except that 2+ grams of perimeter had been ground off at some point in time. I should have noticed that because the listing stated the weight although no mention was made of the rim grinding. I don't know at what point in the coin's life it was altered. Perhaps it was ex-jewelry? It didn't look worn at all but I just couldn't get past the loss of so much perimeter. The loss of so much rim caused the loss of the lovely domed shape and grinding marks were visible on the now perpendicular rims.

 

Yea, something like that would be a deal breaker for me on a coin that is readily available in higher grades and better states. Good call.

 

These are beautiful coins, and you guys have beautiful examples. They are not a "must have" in my book, not for what dealers think they can ask for them. If I could find one as nice for $215, I would consider it, but that's half of what most everyone is asking, even for lower grade coins.

 

Ah, phew! Had me worried about the onset of premature memory loss there.

 

My problem exactly. Well, price may play a more important role in my decision process.

Now this is one of those coins most of us would like to have in our collections and this one meets all the standards above. Very nice find Z. Very nice!

 

Well, it appears Bing has taken the words out of my mouth this time...

Beautiful coins guys!!! Maybe sometime this year I'll add one to my collection.

 

Well done Z, has all the bells and whistles, perfect size and weight!! another coin on my want list.

 

Thanks for the coinpliments, folks. Anoob shows a great example with that contemplative portrait of Artemis. I can see from his pics that his probably has an obverse with a more raised dome compared to mine, which is really one the things to look out for in this type. It just lends more to the effect of the shield design that the coin itself actually looks like a shield!

 

absolutely SWEET coin Z! what a big sexy piece of silver. i really like the type, and it is on my list, but haven't had the right combination of coin, price, money, and time. i think what you paid is very reasonable in the current market.

 

Wow, Z-bro => man, I agree with a few of the other members => this baby is always in my sights, but I have never managed to pull the trigger and bag one of these sweet bucks!!

=> congrats on an amazing coin-score, my friend (top-notch!!)