Went a Bit Crazy....but the End Result was not Bad IMHO

Got a bit excited bidding today but I think my acquisitions are not bad. Not really an ancients guy but I might be gradually moving over to the dark side

Alexander III Quarter Stater



Lesbos Mytilene EL Hekte



Julius Caesar Denarius Military Mint


Marc Antony Legionary AR Denarius



Octavian AR Denarius



My amateur research indicates that these are all fairly sought after ancients. I know many here prefer their coins in a raw state but I wanted to have them graded just to be sure of authenticity.

Would love to hear what the serious collectors think.

 

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I think you did very well in your selections, but I wouldn't want your bill for the lot. I can only imagine the bucks all of these set you back. Yes, they are all sought after coins with very fine condition to boot. Congratulations, and welcome to the dark side. If you are not hooked yet, you will be. Don't forget to bring the cookies.

 

Without first checking to see what you paid (today's Roma, I assume), it's a nice group. I'd love to have an Octavian arch.

Skip the slabbing. If the only reason you want to slab them is to verify authenticity, send them to David Sear. It's been said here many times but I'll say it again: NGC does not guarantee authenticity. They are very up front about that in their terms. However, of course they try hard not to slab fakes, and Vagi & Murphy are both extremely experienced.

 

Ditto

 

Bing the bill is eye watering. I will post some of the other coins later. TF could you please let me have the address and I will most certainly consider this option if ROMA will post to them directly. Do they give any certificate of authenticity or report? And how much would this service cost me??

Thanks

 

They claim this Bruttium, Kroton AR Obol is one of only 2 examples known to exist ??!!

 

http://www.davidrsear.com/certification.html

Yes, you receive a detailed certificate of authenticity

If you do a search here on CoinTalk you'll find many discussions of Sear's services, including photos of some certificates.

 

Depending on the service you want, generally his fees are approximately $50 per coin. I'm not saying he couldn't get something wrong, but I believe his certificates are worth much more than a slab.

 

I will defer to others who know these issues better and me, but from a very fast check of Bruttium coins, others similar have sold for approximately $300.

 

Those are some beauties @1934 Wreath Crown! I especially like the Octavian denarius

 

Thanks guys. You've just made paying the invoice a lot easier

 

Quadruple like
Your coins don't want to be in some plastic tomb.
Yeah I'd hate to see the tab

 

Wow !
I would possibly be able to buy one of those once a year, but five at once.....

Please don't have them slabbed, please !!!!

Q

 

Quite likely to be true BUT realize that there are many very similar coins I suspect would make you just as happy and you might leave the rare variation to a specialist. An obol should weigh about 0.6g. This type is much more common in the larger nomos which is 12x as large. I have two (below) which have minor differences so are, technically, different coins. Are you willing to pay more for one than the other given your current level of expertise? I am not a specialist in these incuse reverse coins from Early Italy which means I only have a half dozen or so. I am not to the point with these that I will fight with a real specialist for such a coin.

Kroton by dougsmit posted May 27, 2017 at 12:43 PM

Kroton die break by dougsmit posted May 27, 2017 at 12:42 PM

You are accustomed to buying big silver moderns (I assume from your name). Like crowns, some ancients are high demand and high price while others exist by the roll. In crowns, I would not appreciate the difference. I have no problem with you buying the coins in slabs because I have the highest regard for the two gentlemen who do NGC grading BUT realize that you will not convince people like most who post here that they should pay you the extra price required to offset the plastic box. We tend to prefer to buy from sellers we trust who guarantee their wares AND don't stick us with holders we do not find that fits our 'style'. When you sell the coins, You will find someone like yourself who likes the feel of plastic better than metal.

 

did you robe the bank
just kidding


great coins

 

Octavian dinarius with Jupiter Terminus and winged thunderbolt



And one with the Façade of the Roman Curia


Unfortunately it seems to have some scratches on the Obverse otherwise it would be a nice coin.

 

It's a beauty even with the scratches. I can't be certain, but the scratches look like they are not random and may be a revaluation a few hundred years later.

 

Great coins, I like the Octavian best.

 

Actually I am an avid collector of sovereigns in all their denominations, half, full, double and quintuple Some quarter sovs, guineas and crowns as well. I cannot understand why ancients are undervalued given the fact that finding a really well preserved ancient has got to be harder than a modern strike.

This particular coin is 0.35g and is ex Numis Historia. I must admit I bought it because I wanted to own something a little unique and thought that's what I was buying. I'm happy to retain it in my collection.

 

absolutely beautiful group of ancient coin! holly crap! at least wait before you have these slabbed, if you start to swerve into the ancient coin lane you may regret it later. if you decide that this stuff isn't your cup of tea and sell, you can slab them later.