The remains of an Ancient Coin collection

I don't want to hijack the thread, but I think you bring up some points that should be food for thought for some of us still holding on to our collections.

It's true that when we sell, we'll probably have no control over who buys our coins, but should at least have some control over who sells them, whether or not we're still around when that happens. My wife and I were doing our wills recently and it was pointed out that I should leave very clear and detailed instructions about what ought to be done with my coins should there be any left at the time.

It would at least help the kids with the hassle (and cut down on future "I found these coins in my grandpa's drawer/box/attic, what are they worth?" threads at the same time ), and also ensure there's no chance I rise up from the grave when some randomly chosen and inattentive dealer mistakes my $500 coin for the $50 (or in some cases $5) one that it could be mistaken for. Okay, so I may not really have hurt feelings when I'm dead, but I do think if a coin collection has any monetary significance to one's estate at all, including in one's will a coin database with prices the coins were bought for, and some instructions regarding a preferred auctioneer/seller, may be something worth considering. I'm still working on mine...

 

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Reiteration of what I posted earlier: It seems I run around like a chicken with it’s head cut off these days! I am heavily involved with Cactus Cultivation (very popular at this time of year) and am a contributor to three online Forums - ditto with Calligraphy which takes up a lot of my time year round (my mother used to call me the boy of three Cs: Coins, Calligraphy and Cactus). In consequence I am away from Coin Talk quite a lot during any given day (and night). I enjoy this Forum best and make more contributions here than elsewhere. But I fret that I am missing many great posts and not replying to them or acknowledging some outstanding contributors. I get way behind responding to posts. So please excuse my delays.

I owe replies to the postings of so many contributors to this thread, many of whom provided very valuable food for thought and insightful comments - I will try to respond to them all during the next few days.

Evidently I hit a nerve with my original post - it is a subject that has been discussed many times on this Forum, but may be I am the first member to actually experience the (grim) reality of actually disposing of an Ancient Coin Collection as an act of finality. It is proving to be a very complicated and difficult enterprise with numerous twists and turns (and continuous new directions). I will post more shortly.

 

And for all those who hold fast to their own cherished way of doing things or deviate from the main stream of thought:

 

I have had several queries like yours @dadams - I can tell you that I am having great difficulty making that determination (inundated with suggestions relating to selection of auction houses). As for the Geta denarius: it is indeed a great coin, but the trouble is that it is one that I am going to hold on to (my favorites list). But if it means that much to you @dadams I will make a note for Beverly (“she who must be obeyed”) suggesting that she send it to you when I shuffle off this mortal coil. Of course, the problem there is that I may live on for many more years - patience is a virtue here dear friend.

Again, thank you for your kind comments and suggestion @dadams - actually I do know how to do that .......... I certainly would be in good company.

 

I don’t know why or how, but that is already being done: https://opacplus.bsb-muenchen.de/metaopac/search?View=default&db=100&id=BV044192516

 

I've found found some of my old websites backed up like that.

 

I suspect that after I cross over, I'll have no interest in what happens to my earthly possessions. My spirit will be more interested in hanging out with the spirits of Plato, Marcus Aurelius, and Cyrus of Persia.

 

Just FYI

I am sending the following information out to all interested/potential auction houses:

I feel compelled to supply you with the following information relating to my philosophy regarding disposal of my Ancient coins (probably via auction):

1. I am not doing this to make money. You have probably heard that many times - it really is the case with me. My wife, Beverly, and me are financially well fixed Senior Citizen retirees. We are not rich by any means but we own our house and all the furniture etc. in it plus our automobiles - all unencumbered - we are debt free with a healthy Bank account and a productive investment portfolio.

2. What has all that to do with disposing of (most of) my Ancient coins?
Well as I said, we don’t need the money - I want to be able to say to Beverly at the end of this exercise: “see, darling all the money I spent over the years collecting and researching these priceless artifacts wasn’t a total waste - I derived an enormous amount of pleasure from it - and it kept me out of bars and from playing golf - and see, I haven’t lost too much money after all”. I know she will be pleased to hear that.

3. The desired outcome for me is to have my coins available to collectors who are new to the hobby (and of course, passionate specialist collectors) at reasonable, affordable, prices while still allowing the auction house, and the principles thereof, to make a good profit (even coin dealers have to make a living). I don’t care if some coins sell for less than I paid for them (sometimes far less) for that is the way it often goes with Ancient coins.

Just thought you would like to know this.

 

That's a great outlook to have. I really hope the new caretakers of all the "ex Jamesiscus Collection" coins about to be on the market are half as passionate about the hobby as you have shown yourself to be.

 

Follow-up:

“I decided to keep a collection of twenty of my very favorite Roman Imperial coins - an Abafil tray (or rather a plastic flip page) full - mainly because I simply couldn’t bear to let them go. So far I have only eighteen selected in accordance with my long-time criteria:
1. Significant historical association
2. Well centered strike
3. Clear and complete inscriptions (as much as possible)
4. High quality inscriptional lettering
5. Britannia connection”

I have actually ended up selecting just 18 coins.
I did have a surprise when I was surveying my coins to make up the lists: I came across this coin that I thought I had lost:

Antonia dupondius with Claudius reverse



RIC Vol. I, ANTONIA, DUPONDIUS, Rome, No. 92, 41-42AD, (12.7gm)

Obverse: Antonia, draped bust facing right
Inscription: ANTONIA AVGVSTA
Reverse: Claudius, togate, standing left, holding simpulum in right hand
Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP - S C (left and right)

My final “keeper list” is at: http://jp29.org/000favorites.htm