Your last coin of 2016

Well, if it doesn't work out let me know and I'll send you a freebie chunky Roman silver coin to lift your spirits. I have a duplicate one that I was planning to give away soon.

 

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If they come to the door than my goose is cooked. No way to keep it from momma. Before our mailman changed about 6 months ago, I had a deal that any packages requiring signature, he would just leave an "attempted delivery" card in the box. Then I could get it at my leisure. But the new guy doesn't seem so amiable. Now I have to try to get my coins sent without the signature requirement. I haven't been too successful since dealers want to know the merchandise was delivered.

As of today, I have three coming and three I have to catalog and image. I have bids on 4 or 5 more. 2016 is going out with a bang.

 

Two words for you: P.O Box.

She never has to find out what you got, and you can pick it up at your leisure. If signature confirmation is required, the post office will leave the card in the box for you.

 

I rented one once, but when I got caught, well, hell hath no fury.......

 

I maintain a PO Box for legitimate business reasons, it is a great tool for keeping my hobby and my wife from knowing too much about each other.

I have also worked out a "don't ask, don't tell" policy with her, it goes like this: If I don't tell her, she doesn't know to ask.

 

I've had P.O box's before. Yes they're benificial & have thought about getting another just to keep coins & the like from going to my house.
But for the security reasons not the griping.

 

I have all coin related stuff go to a P.O. Box for security reasons. Of course, there are other "benefits" to the P.O. Box as noted above. My wife manages to spend almost every penny she earns, so I don't feel too bad about "investing" my spare change in ancient coins. They are, after all, convertible to cash...after a 6 month wait and 20% seller's commission!

 

Not sure if it's my last of 2016 or not but I have just bought one of my more interesting coins of the year. Spent all my remaining budget for this month and the next. Not sure if it will arrive this year of not and will wait till it arrives before posting. It will take a bit of writing up to explain why it's special. It seems at least 2 others saw what I saw as they drove to almost to my limit.

 

Also, the Post Office offers 'signature on File' for PO Boxes. You don't have to wait in line at the counter to pick up items requiring a signature, they are always delivered to your box.

 

I almost never get a mail notice or knock on the door. Buying cheap enough coins does have some advantages. I recently paid $6.25 and $16.90 for unsigned First Class but I take the difference as self insurance. Some dealers realize that losing a few here and there is cheaper than paying the PO and fighting them to collect on a loss. Not buying cheap coins from overseas where they can Register a letter for a low price but you still have to sign for it, same deal.

Frank Robinson publishes a Deadbeat list of names of people who don't pay. The current edition includes:
"U.S. Postal Service (refusal to pay insurance claims on stolen registered packages)"

 

My last (unless Santa brings me something) of the year is this nice Volusian Antoninianus I bought from @John Anthony

 

Of the coins in JA's last auction, I thought that was the best deal. I considered bidding but am trying to be good until New Years. I hope you love it.

 

It was a great deal. It's nicely struck and centered, particularly for the issue. It also looks as though it were purposely wedge-cut as described in Roman Coins and How to Collect Them, by John Fox, fig 91, p. 99.

 

This Diocletian Antoninianus is the last coin I have this year. Not the last bought, but last I received. After the second one I ever tried to get disappeared in the mail, I only count them when I have them.

Such excitement getting this one. I love the centering of his name on the obverse, and the reverse image is so neat. I could actually do a top ten, come to think of it. Diocletian made ten.

 

Would enjoy seeing your Top Ten. Please feel free to post.

I still have approx a half-dozen in-bound before year-end.

 

My last 2016 purchase was a contemporary counterfeit of a modern coin. But these two make up my last ancient coin purchases of 2016 from back in early November. Shows you how much a $260 purchase can affect a college budget... Luckily I sold that coin for $800, but I am still waiting for the check.

 

Nice looking parrot. Seriously, nice looking coin all around.

 

I had a few late-year buys: a couple more ex-Dattari coins which took considerable time to arrive, and a @John Anthony auction purchase.

The JAZ auction coin, a type of Ptolemaic bronze from the never-ending wish list, is one I need to read more about. Attribution of these buggers is evolving.


Ptolemy V-VI
204-145 BCE
Æ 27mm, 18.4g; Alexandria mint.
Obv: diademed head of Isis right
Rev: ΠTOΛEMAIOΥ BAΣIΛEΩΣ; eagle on thunderbolt.
Ref: Svoronos 1234 and SNG Cop 247 (as Ptolemy IV)
These are rather hard to find in decent condition. This one is pretty nice for the type.

Next, a couple more ex-Dattari coins. These certainly aren't show-stoppers in terms of condition but I'm a sucker for the pedigree, Roman Egyptian coins, and their rarity. Plus, the prices were good


EGYPT, Alexandria. Domitian
Year 9, CE 89/90
AE diobol, 25 mm, 9.13 gm
Obv: laureate bust right
Rev: bust of Isis right
Ref: Dattari-Savio Pl 19, 6747 (this coin); Geissen 329; Emmett 296.9, R5
The green pits aren't light and fluffy but this coin will be treated with Verdicare and watched closely.


Egypt, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius
Year 11, CE 147/8
AE obol, 20 mm, 5.57 gm
Obv: laureate head right
Rev: griffin seated right with forepaw on wheel; in exergue, LIA
Ref: Dattari-Savio Pl. 165, 3121 (this coin); Geissen -; Emmett 1772.11, R5
This one will be re-shot. I took hasty pictures before leaving for the holidays and didn't notice all of the lint on the coin, which has been mostly photoshopped out in this set. Occasionally I'll photoshop out a speck or two but when there is so much work to be done, I prefer to dust off the coin and reshoot it.

 

What is it that makes some coins dust magnets while others seem immune? Are the dusty ones victims of RenWax or Olive oil cleaning? It is not just dust ON the coin but dust stuck to the coin that does not brush off easily.