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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,330 |
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Valued Member
Ireland
86 Posts |
Hi all, Am looking at a coin on ebay and it's not from the list of dealers rec'd here, so I thought I'd pop a picture up to get your opinions. It's a Constans bronze with Chi-Rho standard.   Thanks! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
It is never 100% safe to say from photos but I see nothing that strikes me as suspicious.
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Valued Member
 Ireland
86 Posts |
Much appreciated doug.
Any suggestions on a decent price for this?
Edited by einhard
09/19/2012 6:56 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
The coin looks real to me as well. But again, it's sometimes hard to tell from the photo.
I think this coin is Constans RIC VIII Siscia 100.
Constans AE3. 346-348 AD. CONSTAN-S PF AVG, laurel and rosette-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right. / GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS, two soldiers holding spears and shields with one standard between them, chi-rho on banner, ASIS dot-in-crescent in ex.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
I paid $15 for a similar one in 1998 so I suspect double that would be close. Things sell for more in the UK than in the US so I would expect a dealer to ask 30 pounds. Am I close?
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
I'm by no means an Ancient expert but, I have seen enough to say this coin appears authentic.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
I'd pay $10-$15 USD max, after looking around for a decent deal. That Constans coin is really common. Maybe you'll pay more if you're looking for that certain mint in exergue. If you're specializing.
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
Nice coin.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
Half of the price for this type is extra demand for the Chi-Rho standard. If that is not why you want it, buy a variety without and then I agree with Gil-galad's quote. This is one of the earlier Christian symbol coins that is easy to get so people have been known to pay extra.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1045 Posts |
Hi Einhard, I have purchased coins from this seller before and I wanted to give you a little info as you consider this coin. IMHO, the seller clearly uses some type of photo enhancement (greenish filter) to make the coin surfaces appear a bit more uniform. I purchased this Delmatius below. I was completely satisified as I got a great price but notice the difference between the ebay picture and my picture of the actual coin in hand as is. I am not trying to smear this sellers reputation, just giving you a little heads up. Sellers pic  My picture  Regards, -Kurt Edited by Biancasdad
09/20/2012 08:45 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
interesting observation and comparison Kurt.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
Very nice coin, love the Chi-Rho..i try to get all of these I can.....  |
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Valued Member
Ireland
86 Posts |
Wow that's some difference Kurt!! It looks less like a photo filter's being used, and more like a completely different coin! I'll bear that in mind in making an offer. Thanks very much for the info. Thanks to all. EDIT: This post takes me from noob to valued! Woot!  Edited by einhard
09/20/2012 11:52 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
Kurt's photo comparison points out something all ned to learn when it comes to reading photos. The seller is not necessarily using a photo to make his coins green but green is a better color for coins than some others so he probably is happy with his camera set the way it is. He shoots on a white background and that is green in the photo, too. Kurt's photo was shot on a colored background so he has the option of letting his camera set the color balance being fooled by the color or by setting the camera to allow for the colored background. I note that Kurt's image plays down the texture of the fields shown in the seller's photo so I would be happier to buy a coin and find it looking like Kurt's photo than the seller's. I don't know which is 'accurate' but that probably depends on the lighting used to view.
One of the advantages of learning to take coin photos is that you also learn to read coin photos and might suspect when the image (like the seller's) is not going to match the coin when it arrives. Shiny dark coins are hard to shoot so we shouldn't assume that a poor photo is a sign of crooked dealing. It might just mean the dealer is not much of a photographer.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Aside from the issue of the coins color and condition not being exactly as shown, it no doubt looks authentic to me.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1045 Posts |
The picture that I took is an accurate depiction of the color and the patina.
IMO, the seller is just attempting to make the patina appear exceptionally uniform; to cover up the minor blemishes and breaks in patina.
Agreed though, this coin is definitely a genuine coin.
-Kurt
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,330 |
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Posted 09/19/2012 6:51 pm
