What Your Budget Buys - $100 Edition

Ok, folks, it's time to see what a hundred dollar bill buys you. Some of us may only occasionally shell out this much for a single coin, while others rarely consider anything costing less. I think this is a category where one might expect to see some quality Roman denarii, scarcer rulers, more affordable Greek silver, and assorted coins of special interest.

Please show us your favorite $100 coins (specifically, for this thread, anything between $85 - $125).

If a coin is an older purchase (ie., not bought in the past few years), please let us know roughly when bought it. If the coin was part of a bulk or large lot purchase, it would be helpful to mention that too.

 

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This price bracket seems to be a sweet spot for my Roman Republican collection. Nothing very high grade or fancy, but they include some of my favorite purchases of the past few years.


ROMAN REPUBLIC
M. Plaetorius M F Cestianus
AR Denarius. 4.0g, 18mm. Rome mint, 69 BC. Crawford 405/5. O: Head of Bonus Eventus right, control mark behind. R: M PLAETORI CEST EX S C, winged caduceus.
Pecunem 10, $100


ROMAN REPUBLIC
L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi
AR Denarius. 3.97g, 18.8mm. Rome mint, AD 90. L. Piso Frugi, moneyer. Crawford 340/1. O: Laureate head of Apollo right. R: Naked horseman galloping right, holding palm branch; above, swan and below, L PISO FRVGI / ROMA.
Ex E.E. Clain-Stefanelli Collection
Naville Numismatics Auction 29, $110


ROMAN REPUBLIC
M. Sergius Silus
AR Denarius. 3.87g, 18.5mm. Rome mint, AD 116-115. Crawford 286/1. O: Head of Roma right; ROMA and XVI monogram behind; EX S C before. R: Helmeted horseman galloping left, holding sword and severed Gallic head in left hand; Q (for Quaestor) below; M.SERGI, SILVS in exergue.
Numismatik Naumann 51, $120


ROMAN REPUBLIC
C. Annius T.f. T.n and L. Fabius L.f. Hispaniensis
AR Denarius. 3.82g, 18.8mm. Northern Italian or Spanish mint, 82-81 BC. Crawford 366/1b; Sydenham 748a; RSC Annia 2. O: C.ANNI.T.F.T.N.PRO.COS.EX.S.C, draped bust of Anna Perenna right, wearing stephane; winged caduceus to left, scales to right, plough below neck. R: L.FABI.L.F.HISP, Victory driving quadriga right, holding palm and reins; Q and dot above horses.
Agora Auctions 40, $96

 

A few nice Imperial denarii. All three came with recorded provenances that I don't think I paid extra for.


CARACALLA
AR Denarius. 3.24g, 19mm. Rome mint, AD 215. RIC 254. O: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, laureate head right. R: PM TR P XVIII COS IIII PP, Apollo standing left, holding laurel branch and lyre set on altar.
Ex Muschietti (Numismatica Walter Muschietti), 1956


NERVA
AR Denarius. 2.88g, 17.4mm. Rome mint, AD 97. RIC 14; Cohen 20. O: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P, laureate head right. R: CONCORDIA EXERCITVVM, clasped hands.
Ex Ratto sale January 1956, 366


HADRIAN
AR Denarius. 3.38g, 17.9mm. Rome mint, circa AD 134-138. RIC 307; Cohen 867. O: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, bare head right. R: ITALIA, Italia standing left, holding sceptre and cornucopiae.
Ex E.E. Clain-Stefanelli Collection

 

The medieval coins I buy often range between $100 and $150 after exchange rates and shipping. These guys come in under $125:


German States, Cologne
Archbishop Philipp von Heinsberg, r. 1167-1191
AR Denier, 3rd type, 18.05 mm x 1.4 grams
Obv.: HITARCH EPICOV, Archbishop with mitre, crosier, and bible seated on lion throne
Rev.: EIACOLONIA PAICHAI, Three towers over wall and gate, likely representing the Cathedral of St Peter, Cologne
Ref.: De Wit 1993


French Feudal, Normandy
Henry I, r. 1106-1135; AR Denier, 19.53 mm x 0.9 grams
Obv.: +NOR[M]MANIA. Short Cross with pellets in each quarter
Rev.: Short cross with annulets and bars on either side, triangle above and below
Ref.: Dumas XX-13, Roberts, 4837 reverse


Italy - Venice
Pietro Zani, r. 1205-1229
AR Grosso, 19.79 mm, 1.9 grams
Obv.: [·+·]P·ZIANI· ·S·M.VENETI outside (Z retrograde), D/U/X down banner held between doge and St. Mark facing
Rev.: [I¯C] X¯C across field, Christ enthroned facing
Ref.: Similar to De Witt 3626

 

This one cost $97 shipped

BITHYNIA, Kalchedon. Circa 367/6-340 BC. AR Drachm (15mm, 3.76 g). Bull standing left on grain ear; kerykeion and monogram to left / Quadripartite incuse square with stippled quarters. Türkoğlu S02a; HGC 7, 511. VF, light toning.

And this one hammered at $100 so a little more with juice and shipping




Trajan. AD 98-117. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.32 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 102. Laureate bust right, slight drapery / Victory standing right on prow, terminating in serpent, holding palm frond and wreath. RIC II 59; Woytek 123b; RSC 241a. VF, toned.

 

Here's what $85-125 have purchased within the past two years:

 

Cool additions folks. The 100 range is where one can find some really good stuff
From dec 2015 onward, the ancients I've bought in the 100ish range


Philippus I, Tetradrachm Antioch mint 244 AD
ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΙΟΥΑ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟC CΕΒ , Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥCΙΑC, Eagle facing, head left, holding wreath in beak, tail left. SC at exergue
10,66 gr, 27-28 mm
Ref : Prieur # 319, Mc Alee # 887



Trajan Decius, Semis Rome mint, AD 249-250
IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG Laureate and draped bust right
Mars standing left, holding spear and shield. S|C in field
19 mm, 4,71 gr
Ref : RIC # 128, Cohen # 102



L. Flaminius Chilo, Denarius Rome mint, 109 or 108 BC
Helmeted head of Roma right, ROMA behind head and X below chin
L·FLAMINI/CILO in two lines at exergue. Victory in prancing biga right
19 mm, 3,83 gr
Ref : RCV # 179, RSC Flaminia # 1, Sydenham #540, RBW # 1144, Crawford # 302/1.
From the E.E. Clain-Stefanelli collection



L. Aemilius Lepidus Paullus and L. Scribonius Libo, Denarius Rome mint, 62 BC
PAVLLUS LEPIDVS CONCORD, diademed and draped bust of concordia right
PVTEAL SCRIBON above and LIBO below the puteal scribonianum, ornamented with garland between two lyres and hammer
3,11 gr - 19/20 mm
Ref : RCV #368, RSC, Aemilia #11
From the E.E. Clain-Stefanelli collection



Constantius II, AE2 Antioch mint, 1st officina
D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG, draped and pearl diademed bust right
FEL TEMP RE PARATIO, fallen horseman, Gamma in field, ANA at exergue
4.88 gr
Ref : RCV # 18171, Cohen # 46, RIC # 132, LRBC # 2623



Licinius I, reduced follis Alexandria mint, 7th officina
IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG, laureate head right
IOVI CONSER - VATORI AVGG, Jupiter standing left, holding Victory on globe in right hand and sceptre in left hand. An eagle holding wreath in his beak at his feet in left field, In right field a wreath above a Z above an N, at exergue ALE
4.23 gr, 20/21mm
Ref : RIC # 10, RCV # 15246, C # 108

Q

 

Very nice series of threads @zumbly ! Well thought out as a reference for posterity.

BUNCH of my Roman Republic Denarii are $85-$125

But here is a dekas variety pack of approx $100's...

Fully Loaded Landed Cost: $125

View attachment 676006
India Gandahara AR Bent Bar 11.3g 650-600 BCE RARE two dots - also have on BOTH sides VERY RARE

Fully Loaded Landed Cost: $99

RI Eugenius 392-394 CE AE 12mm 1.0g Aquileia SPES wreath palm Victory RIC59

Fully Loaded Landed Cost: $107

Roman Republic, Anonymous Æ Litra. Rome mint, 241-235 A.D. (16mm, 3.89g) Helmeted head of beardless Mars right. / Bridled horse's head right, sickle behind, ROMA below. Crawford 25/3; Sydenham 26; HN Italy 299.

Fully Loaded Landed Cost: $106

The Mamertini, Sicily, c. 288 - 278 B.C.
Mamertini or "children of Mars," was the name taken by a band of Campanian (or Samnite) freebooters who about 289 B.C. seized the Greek colony of Messana at the north-east corner of Sicily, after having been hired by Agathocles to defend it (Polyb. 1. 7. 2).
Bronze pentonkion, Calciati I p. 93, 3/1; SNG ANS 402; BMC Sicily p. 109, 3; SNG Cop 434 var (on reverse Φ left), gF, some corrosion and pitting, Messana mint, weight 16.288g, maximum diameter27.5mm, die axis 270o, c. 288 - 278 B.C.; obverse APEΣ, laureate head of Ares right, Macedonian helmet behind; reverse MAMEPTINΩN, eagle standing left on a thunderbolt, head left, wings open

Fully Loaded Landed Cost: $99


Fully Loaded Landed Cost: $99


Fully Loaded Landed Cost: $99


Fully Loaded Landed Cost: $90


Fully Loaded Landed Cost: $85


Fully Loaded Landed Cost: $85

 

This one was $90 before shipping...Vabalathus/Aurelian

 

Caligula $125 before shipping so just made the thread technically. ally.

 

I just won this coin in John Anthony's latest auction; it hasn't arrived yet, so I'll have to borrow his pics. This is a denarius of Septimius Severus with a reverse showing Parthian captives and referencing Severus's title Parthicus Maximus. Total cost including shipping was $96:

 

This a modern reproduction, like this one:
http://www.atomicmall.com/view.php?id=Caligula-COPY_510478

 

I have several nice coins in that price range.

Mark Antony, 44 - 30 B.C., Silverquinarius,
( 15.29 mm 1.80 g)
Obv: Lituus, capis, and raven standing left on ground line; M A(N)T IMP above
Rev: Victory standing right, holding palm frond, crowning trophy with wreath.
Crawford 489/4, Sear CRI 121, RSC I 82, Sydenham 1159, Kestner-Hannover 3716, BMCRR Gaul 36. SRCV I (2000) 1487.
Ex: Forvm Ancient Coins
Paid: 113.00 USD


Anastasius I (491-518), Semissis, Constantinople, c. 507-518,
(17.90 mm. 2.00g,)
Obv: Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Anastasius PP AVG
Rev: Victory seated right, inscribing shield set on knee; star to left, staurogram to lower right;
Victoria AVGG. CONOB in Exergue
CONOB. MIBE 10; DOC 9; S. 7. Very fine.
London Coin Galleries, Auction 4 - Part 1Lot 1144 June 1, 2017
Paid: 97 pounds

France Blanc Guénar 1380-1422
(27.36 mm 2.55 g)
Charles VI - ND (1380-1422) - Mintmark Tours Sixth Point
Catalog: Monnaies Françaises Royales DupR 377
Material: Billon
Purchased from Numiscollection on ma shops.
Paid 65.65 Euro



ENGLAND. Henry V, 1413-1422 AD. AR Penny (17.46 mm 0.94 gm) of York.
Obv: Crowned bust facing with mullet and broken annulet
Rev: Long cross with three pellets in each angle.
S.1785. Toned aVF.
Pegasi Auctions (hosted by Agora Auctions) #34 Lot 756.
May, 2016.
Paid: 110.00 USD

Great Britain, House Of York, ND Groat, F, Edward IV, First Reign, 1461-70.
Light coinage. London mint. 25.2mm, 2.9g.
No marks by neck. S-2002. Nice grumpy portrait. Dark toning.
Purchased from Harlan J Berk 201st Bid or Buy sale July 14, 2007 Lot 517
Paid: 115.00 USD

L.Sulla. 84-83 BC. AR Denarius
(3.34 g).
Obv: Diademed head of Venus right; cupid with long palm branch before
Rev: Capis and lituus between two trophies.
Cr359/2; Syd 761; Cornelia 30

 

I captured a similar / sister version of @Orfew 's Antony / Lepidus... Except mine has Potifex implements instead of his cool Victory! And got it at the same price! We think alike... LOL

Fully Loaded Landed Cost: $110

Ex: Agora - Alfredo de la Fe

 

Yes, unfortunately this coin is clearly a forgery. The stylistic differences and the flatness of the reverse field are a dead giveaway. Even more, genuine Caligula VESTAs of this quality sell for $400 - $1200, so the price alone is sufficient to expose it as a forgery.

 

Here is one of mine.. My Justinian Follis off of Vcoins for under $100 Usd including shipping


38 MM 23 grams

 

After fees and shipping, this was about$90

 

Wow, I knew there would be some nice coins when the thread reached this level.
I'll add a couple on, I'm so far behind in my picture taking. Even these two are the sellers pics.
I've shown this Claudius a few times already, hands down it's my favorite of the year so far, nice portrait and Tyche looks so pissed In hand it looks like I imagine it looked almost 2,000 years ago.

Claudius. AD 41-54.
Æ20, 5.5g, 12h; Uncertain Caesarea, Syria?
Obv.: KΛAYΔIOC KAICAP; Laureate head of Claudius right.
Rev.: ETOrYC KAICAPEΩΝ Γ; Turreted, veiled, and draped bust of Tyche right.
Reference: RPC I 4084; SNG Copenhagen 177 (Caesarea in Cappadocia).
via JAZ $93 delivered


389, Lot: 524. Estimate $100.
D. Silanus L.f. 91 BC. AR Denarius (17.5mm, 3.94 g, 12h). Rome mint. Helmeted head of Roma right; A to left / Victory driving galloping biga right; XII above. Crawford 337/3; Sydenham 646; Junia 15. VF, toned.


From the Kallman Collection, purchased from Colosseum Coin Exchange. Ex Coin Galleries (6 November 1996), lot 332
$88.50 delivered after fees & shipping, blah, blah

 

@Smojo, that Claudius is excellent!

 

Thank you. One of those JAZ gem finds.
I had to have it and someone put up a good fight.