Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Marsyas Mike, post: 5288667, member: 85693&quot;]An interesting discussion - I like hearing different philosophies of grading and collecting. </p><p><br /></p><p>Back when I collected mostly world crowns, etc., I think I developed a fairly handy feel for, say, VG/F/VF/XF.&nbsp; The higher MS65 type of thing didn&#039;t interest me and so I ignored it. </p><p><br /></p><p>Ancients are so much different for me.&nbsp; I think NCG is smart to do strike/surface grading the way they do - it makes more sense to me than a basic &quot;VF&quot; or whatever.&nbsp; But I don&#039;t slab, so I don&#039;t really pay much attention. </p><p><br /></p><p>My first &quot;world coin&quot; grading instinct says the OP is F.&nbsp; But indeed, the details visible make it probably more a VF with problems. </p><p><br /></p><p>What is strange is how in the past few years ancient coins have extinguished my interest in grading.&nbsp; I even find myself enthusing over damage!&nbsp; This is a terrible investment strategy, but I really get turned on by some really awful coins these days. </p><p><br /></p><p>So I am going to used this thread as an excuse to share a recent penny dreadful, a half follis of Justinian I.&nbsp; Even the bottom-feeders of eBay (except me) passed it by.&nbsp; But as soon as I got it out of the envelope I was thrilled with it - first of all because it is HUGE for a half follis. </p><p><br /></p><p>Anyway, here it is, in all its glorious awfulness, five dollars worth of Byzantine crud:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1221736[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1221737[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><blockquote><p><b>Justinian I&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Æ Half Follis</b></p><p><b>Year 18 (544-545 A.D.)</b></p><p><b>Cyzicus Mint</b></p><p>DN IVSTINIANVS PP AVG, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, holding cross on globe and shield, cross to right / Large K; cross above, ANNO left, XЧI/II right, Y/Z below. </p><p>SB 208; DOC 187a; MIBE 121.</p><p>(9.10 grams / 29 x 27 mm) </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Notes:</b></p><p>“The K on the reverse doubles as the denomination mark (20 nummi = half follis) and the initial letter of the mint mark <i>KYZ</i>”</p><p>Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. Electronic Auction 303, Lot 446 29.05.2013</p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p>Before the alarms sound, the green stuff is rock-hard and does not appear to be bronze disease.&nbsp; You can see where efforts were made to clean it, but I prefer the green to the rust-colored pits/roughness. </p><p><br /></p><p>What&#039;s the grade?&nbsp; The strike on the reverse is a 4/5, I think - but I am biased.&nbsp; The overall awfulness of it would make NCG reject it, I&#039;d think - with a &quot;fragile&quot; or &quot;ineligible&quot; label to boot.&nbsp; I would agree with that assessment, but I still like the coin. </p><p><br /></p><p>Do I seek an upgrade?&nbsp; Well, I&#039;d take one if it came along in my price range, but I&#039;d still like this one.&nbsp; Where else can you find Justininan with a green goatee?[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in