Earlier today I posted a question on another online discussion group and was a little shocked at the response. The question was to what degree we are willing to pay more for a better looking example of a coin when there is a choice. I figured most people would say the opposite of what they did so I'll ask it here and see if I'm just out of touch. Examine the photo below. Both coins are the same ruler (Kanishka of the Kushans) and same reverse. The top one was in my collection for a few years but just got upgraded by the lower coin. Did I do the right thing upgrading? Actually, the top coin is not all that bad as these usually ugly and worn coins go. It even has the king's name legible at the left of the obverse and the name or the god Helios clear on the reverse. The lower coin is full legend and a bit less worn than many Kushan bronzes I see offered. The question is how much more is the bottom coin worth than the top. In comparison, what is a fair price for the bottom? Half again as much, 2x, 4x, 6x, more, less? The bottom coin is far from mint state but is the second nicest Kushan bronze I have. I might suggest looking at the Kushan bronzes currently available on VCoins or the venue of your choice just in case you are not up on the market on these. I received one particularly interesting response that since the top coin was fully identifiable that it was good enough and the upgrade money would be better spent on other coins. Considering all I see from the MS66 or better crowd, I was a bit shocked that no one felt the two here were sufficiently different. What say you? Thanks for your thoughts.
Personally I would think the bottom is worth 4x as much as the top. I would say this for any ancient unless the rarity of owning any was such a rarity. Having both would be my preference of course, , but of course the second would be preferable. Our goal is to learn from coins, and with incomplete and worn legends, how can you possibly learn as much as on the other coin? I am far from a condition snob, and absent money concerns probably would choose my ancients over an Eide Mar denari. However, there is also an acceptable condition that we should strive for if possible, and the new coin meets that, while sadly your first coin does not. I have been getting into these more, ever since the Kushans are today associated with the greater Yuezhi of Chinese history, and have been lucky to get some great lots of the various denominations of Soter Megas lately. Chris
The 2nd is way better, definitely a good upgrade. At the moment I'm happy with my $3 one since I dont collect them, but if I did then yeah I would upgrade em.
