Uspus, the patron deity of the U.S. Postal Service, showered me with blessings today. I received three packages. One contained a lovely group of six Republican bronzes. The other contained a pair of soon to be de-slabbed RR auction lots. The third contained a group of old auction catalogues. I'll share photos of the haul later. So, what would be a fitting sacrifice of thanks to Uspus? Perhaps a pit bull?
Can't wait to see them. As much as I hate slabbing, it feels so good to liberate a coin from the tyranny of a slab. Put in a little word for me while you're making your sacrifice. I'm currently waiting on them to deliver two coins: a good silver imitation(possibly Dacian) of a Republican denarius and a bronze that is very clearly overstruck on a Syracusan Hieron II trident bronze. I'm hoping both will arrive tomorrow.
Very Cool! Hope to see that one soon. I picked one up at a local Show a few months ago... wonder if we have similar AE's!
I believe the juice of the grape is most appropriate. It also pleases him greatly to offer pictures of his benevolence on social media for your friends to enjoy.
A bottle of cold water works for our post person. Many years ago, my kids left a present for the mail man. I am not sure the postman noticed because it was there for weeks. The next day we had a dehydrated frog in the box. My daughter cried when she saw the results.
Here are the two, slabbed auction lots received in yesterday's mail. The bronze: Rome, The Republic. Bird and Rudder Series, 206-195 B.C. AE As (39.58 grams; 35 mm). Rome mint. Obv: Janus bust; I (mark of value) above. Rev: Prow right; bird and rudder above; I (mark of value) before; ROMA below. Crawford 117B/1. Ex Jonathan Kern Collection. A common type, but in uncommonly nice condition (I would conservatively grade it good VF, rather than the chXF bestowed by NGC). The silver: Rome, The Republic. Sextus Pompey, 42-39 BC. Uncertain Sicilian mint. AR Denarius (3.87 grams; 21 mm). Obv: Bust of Neptune right with trident over shoulder. Rev: Naval trophy. Ex RBW Collection (NAC 63, Lot 538); purchased privately by RBW from SKA Zurich, July 1985. Offstruck and incomplete as usual for the type, but this a particularly sharp example.
To those collectors who believe ecapsulation (slabbing) protects coins: please look closely at the lower right of the obverse photo of my new denarius. Because of the oblong flan shape, that corner is not in contact with the "stabilizer" of the slab. In fact, it's moving around in there! The coin makes an audible sound as it stikes the clear plastic whenever I flip-over the slab. I can't wait to free it.
