What a difference four years makes for collecting standards

This denarius was my second purchase in the recent Roma XVIII auction, in addition to the anonymous denarius posted earlier. I actually had a relatively nice example of the type with full legends and great metal, something I was quite proud of at time of purchase in 2015, right after I started focusing on Roman Republic coins. As I've continued collecting I've tried to increase my standards for more common types and accordingly my original coin's faults began to bother me more and more. As it was one of my favorite types I began looking for an upgrade and after a year or so of looking finally found it. This particular coin really called to me due to how well centered and even the strike is and how well the obverse is engraved. Its got a couple scratches on the obverse that are more pronounced in the Roma pic and I assume that scared some bidders off but I felt them fairly inconsequential and they're almost invisible in-hand.

This type is one of my favorites both because of its iconography and the history associated with it. The reverse has Roma crowning a trophy surrounded by shields and Carnyces, traditional Celtic war-horns, a bold portrayal of Rome's defeat of the Celts in the newly-founded colony of Gallia Narbonensis. Janus, the two headed Roman deity of beginnings, endings, doorways and transitions is featured on the obverse, The temple of Janus was opened during times of war and closed during times of peace. Taken together, this type is Rome's proclamation that the war with the Gauls had been ended - successfully.


AR Denarius(3.82g, 19mm, 8h). Marcus Furius Lucii filius Philus, moneyer, 119 BC, Rome mint. Laureate head of Janus;around, M·FOVRI·L·F, Border of dots. / Roma (wearing Corinthian helmet) standing left, holding sceptre in left hand and crowning trophy with right hand; above, star; behind, ROMA upwards; the trophy is surmounted by a helmet in the form of a boar's head and flanked by a carnyx and shield on each side; in exergue, (PHI)LI. Crawford 281/1, Sydenham 529, RSC Furia 18, BMCRR (Italy) 555
Ex Roma Numismatics auction XVIII, 29 September 2019, lot 822, ex Numismatica Ars Classica auction 114, 6 May 2019, lot 1283, ex RVP Collection, CNG e-Auction 309, 21 August 2013, lot 204

Here's my old example which will hopefully find a new and loving home soon:

AR Denarius(19mm, 3.86g). Marcus Furius Lucii filius Philus, moneyer, 119 BC, Rome mint. Laureate head of Janus;around, M·FOVRI·L·F, Border of dots. / Roma (wearing Corinthian helmet) standing left, holding sceptre in left hand and crowning trophy with right hand; above, star; behind, ROMA upwards; the trophy is surmounted by a helmet in the form of a boar's head and flanked by a carnyx and shield on each side; in exergue, (PHI)LI. Crawford 281/1, Sydenham 529, RSC Furia 18, BMCRR (Italy) 555
Purchased from Gert Boersema, 6 November 2015

How have your collecting standards changed over the years(or have they)? Feel free to share anything relevant

 

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I am going through the same metamorphosis now. I'm trying to buy up a grade from what I was buying.

That is a fine example of that coin. Perhaps I should look to upgrade as well.

 

That is an amazing coin. Congrats.

 

Very nice @red_spork ... great upgrade. And, yeah, it has been fun watching your deep research as you focus on RR’s.

Me? I kinda retrograded on the Furius Denarius... oops.



RR M Furius ERROR DOUBLE-STRIKE AR Den119 BC Janus Trophy Carnyx S 156 Cr 281-1

 

Spork - An excellent upgrade and really great example of the type. I particularly like the obverse style which I think is better than mine. Note mine is missing the star on the reverse.




Now regarding standards, I've upgraded coins as better ones come along and simply gotten rid of ones that I don't love. The biggest problem I have is patience; sometimes I just want to buy a coin but should wait for a better example. I'm working on that still. I applaud your efforts to raise the standards of your collection and think you will be very happy with the results over time.

Some upgrade examples:







And then ones that just needed to go without a replacement still because they aren't up to my standards anymore:

 

Talk about an upgrade !
That's a tremendous example @red_spork especially the obverse

Q

 

Beautiful coins, @red_spork ! @Andrew McCabe might be interested—he uses the Janus figure in his trademark.

 

I'm trying to work on this as well. I have the same problem, especially if I've gone months without finding anything worth buying or being outbid every time and I end up buying things I often later regret.

 

I have found since the start that I am more likely to regret buying a coin I find boring whatever the grade than one I find interesting in some manner even though it is not the highest grade. I like my example of the Philius but if I were to have a wish for it to be better, I would ask for a more clear PHI monogram rather than for a less worn coin. A change or recent realization of what appeals to me is that I am more likely now to reject a coin that has poor style for its type. I have never been a fan of rough or poorly struck coins but have purchased many. I have never been bothered by wear as much as by shortcomings in those three S's (Style, Strike, Surfaces). That has not changed.

 

Got none of the type to share. But to reply, I would say mine hasn't changed very much since I started in 2009.

I have always been a scatter collector & continue to be one. I also put cost as one of the 2 main points since my budget is limited monthly.

I think for almost 11 years of collecting, I have assembled some great coins and many at great prices.

The only thing that changes is I drift to one area to another, I.E Medieval, then to Modern World, then to tetradrachms and so on. Where before, it was only Roman Imperials for the first few years.

But I am OK with coins with some off-centering, flan cracks, holes, & so on. I only upgrade if I find similar better at or below what I paid for the first one.