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stevex6
Pillar Of The Community
3352 Posts
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Gaius Caligula Coin => is it real, or is it fake?
... and if it's real, then what do you figure it is worth?
This is the only info that is currently listed with this coin:
Roman As of Caligula
1st century AD
Gaius head left
Vesta seated SC below
Green Patina
NOTE => I have also asked for the coin's weight and diameter, reference, etc ... plus, a better photo(s) if possible, but the seller hasn't responded back, yet ...
... anybody want to help a brother out?
Thanks gang
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Moderator
United States
9886 Posts |
Pics are a little small, but from what I can see the coin looks fine. Condition wise I would grade it at VF. Prices seem to be all over the place for this coin in this condition. I've seen them sell for as little as $100 to as much as $1500 someone really wanted one that day. I'd say $150 would be a very good deal and $200 would be and OK deal.
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Pillar Of The Community
Australia
6476 Posts |
Brother:
Pictures so far suggests a nice coin, but if it is good as I think it could be, I would like to see the coin in hand first.
That's just me. That is always how I buy ancient coins that require a significant outlay of cash.
Need better photographs, USB micrographs if possible. You need to know the weight, who is selling it, (reputation of the dealer), and where it came from (provenance).
If the seller hasn't responded, wait some. We live in hope. This could still be a nice coin. Remain guarded, but optimistic at this stage.
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Formerly jwharper
4253 Posts |
 I looked up the coin and am thinking that is a lot of money. However, the coin looks to be in pristine condition. I know everyone gets tired of hearing me say what good prices I find. But I have to tell you I own one of these and only paid a tenth of the amount for this coin. I also admit it's not in even close to the condition of this coin either. I think you can do better price wise.
Edited by Bing
08/06/2012 9:16 pm
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Pillar Of The Community
3352 Posts |
echizento & sel_69l => thanks for quick responses ... I am still waiting to hear from the seller (it's only been a couple of hours, so I am definitely still optimistic that this chap will get back to me with the info, if he is serious about selling me this coin) ... Sadly, not a lot of dudes from England are willing to send their Caligula coins to Northern Manitoba just so I can take a quick peek ... *sigh* => but I will get back to you guys if and when I get more info (NOTE => but I am happy to hear that both of you seem to think the lousy photos are of a good coin) ... Thanks again  |
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Moderator
United States
9886 Posts |
I've posted this a few times before,but here is my example of the same coin in about the same condition as yours. Not that I was going to sell it, but I took mine to a couple of dealers back east. One guy offered $80 and another offered me $475. I paid $130 for it ten years ago.   |
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Pillar Of The Community
3352 Posts |
Well, the high guy's price that you mentioned is pretty close to being dead-on what this guy is asking his coin (10 years later) ... jwh => Lex => you always know how to stamp on my hands just when I'm wanting to pull-out my wallet!! NOTE => I am still anxiously awaiting more info from the seller (oh, and he has responded ... so the hook has been set and the fisherman has noticed that he has a bite!!)  |
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Pillar Of The Community
3352 Posts |
Hi ... hey, I received a bit more info on the Caligula coin: Roman As of Caligula1st century AD Diameter: Size 27 mm
Weight: 11.3 gramsGaius' head left Vesta seated with SC below Good Green Patina   NOTE: please try to set the whole price-thingy to the side for just a moment and merely concentrate on whether this coin looks legitimate/genuine ... okay? The price will sort itself out once I/we determine this coin's legitimacy ... Thanks, coin-brothers |
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Formerly jwharper
4253 Posts |
I see no reason to question this coins authenticity Jerry. Are these updated images from the seller? The details don't look quite as crisp as the original images.
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Pillar Of The Community
3352 Posts |
Hey Bing ... thanks for your assistance ... => yes, I assume that the photos are directly from the seller (he mentioned that "due to the dark green patina, it was fairly difficult for him to photograph the coin well") ... and unlike you, I actually thought that the photos looked quite nice/sharp, but I don't take very good photos so my opinion is a bit weak ... The seller is an Ancients Dealers with a "Top-rated Seller" rating and a 100% positive feedback score on 1000-4999 items sold ... so although I have never bought anything from this dude, the signs seem to be indicating a fairly low-risk surrounding this purchase ... yes? Now comes the hard part => "haggling" (man, I hate this part) ... this is where I usually have my wife step-in (*sigh*)  |
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Formerly jwharper
4253 Posts |
I always haggle as most of the coins the seller sets an arbitrary price, based on what he/she believes the market will bear and what is perceived as the condition of the coin. Unlike modern coins where condition is fairly well set in stone. When I haggle, I always offer 15-20% less than the asking price, knowing that most dealers can afford at least a 10% discount. This way, when the seller comes back with the discount and you accept, you both feel like you have gotten the best of the deal.
Good luck Jerry. Let us know what transpires.
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Pillar Of The Community
3352 Posts |
Worked like a charm ... Original asking price = $475 (delivered) stevex6's offer = $400 (delivered) accepted counter-offer = $420 (delivered) => hey, that's only twice as much as echizento suggested!! (wow, I'm getting thriftier!!) NOTE => for the record, David Sear's book "Roman Coins And Their Values" stated that this coin in VF condition is worth $400 (the book was published 12 years ago, so I am thinking that I am at least standing somewhere in the same ballpark!!) Thanks for everybody's help!! (sel, echizento, jwh) |
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Moderator
United States
9886 Posts |
Nice coin, I think you did well on the price.
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Pillar Of The Community
3352 Posts |
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Pillar Of The Community
3352 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
9886 Posts |
Just eight more to go. You'll have them in no time.
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Posted 08/06/2012 7:48 pm
