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 Replies: 17 / Views: 2,724 |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1006 Posts |
Poll Question
Hey everyone I just wanted to get people's opinions on which of the following two coins they would prefer one with no wear but less detail (coin 1) or one with wear over the horses but with more detail (coin 2, which is $1000 less than coin 1)?   Thanks for your time guys just trying to learn the balancing act with different coins. P.s. Haha sorry for the mistake was in a rush before work. There are now two staters rather than a stater and a sovereign lol.
Edited by oh my florin
05/22/2015 12:26 am
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3444 Posts |
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New Member
United States
9 Posts |
I have no problem with a little wear on a coin that is several thousand years old.
That said I like the color and "look" of the first coin better, though I suspect some of the difference may be photography technique.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3444 Posts |
The first coin is more stylized where the second is a superb example of classical Greek portraiture. The second coin shows a very natural looking type of portrait of a youth.
I think the die engraving of the second shows the work of a master. The first one is done by the 'shop'.
Rather like a Rembrandt painting or one done by the 'workshop' of Rembrandt.
Both superb but one shows the hand of the master !
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4971 Posts |
my thoughts were the same as FR's here. any chance for you to actually see these coins in hand before you buy them? I like the color of the first as well, but is it photography that is making the difference? here's the second coin, I just messed with the contrast and brightness a bit..  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3444 Posts |
Generally speaking the gold of the Greeks and Romans remained relatively pure throughout good times and bad. While the silver was debased repeatedly and the bronze often contained unusual alloys of tin zinc lead etc. gold was held in high regard. The color should be quite the same for both coins.
SCREAMING YELLOW !!!!
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Pillar of the Community
 Australia
1006 Posts |
Unfortunately I am unable to see either in hand one located in Europe the other in US. However the lustre of the first is accurate as it was an exceptionally strong strike and it has been confirmed with the dealer. The primary difference I am seeing is the rider and the hair in the second one is more stylised however the face of the first one is exceptionally well struck with no wear.
Looking for a particularly nice coin to add to my collection but don't want to make the wrong decision either if you know what I mean?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Completely agree with FVRIVS RVFVS and Chris. The second coin is more softly modeled, more naturalistic in appearance. And it seems to have a broader flan in relation to the imagery...the biga on the reverse seems to have more breathing room (more negative space). It's a beauty!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3444 Posts |
Unless you have an extensive collection of gold and really strive for something 'pristine' I would save the grand and use it to buy a gem denarius of Nero.
What's not to like !
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1269 Posts |
I know nothing about these coins. However, going on eye appeal, I really like the second coin.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1006 Posts |
Thanks everyone for pointing out the key points to look for. I have learnt quite a bit from this thread regarding style vs wear in the eyes of collectors.
FVRIVS RVFVS I don't really know much about Roman coins more so looking for a star coin of either Alexander the Great or Philip II ideally a Pella mint (my niche) but happy for an Amphipolis one. I will probably just leave it for a while and see what comes up in the market.
The first coin was available for around $12500 from a rather friendly dealer (think I could get down to $11000) while the second is currently up for auction at Hess Divo with an estimate of $10000 with BP and conversion to USD.) On debasement I haven't seen any on Macedonian coins.
Edited by oh my florin
05/22/2015 12:14 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
As far I am concerned number 2 is superior in every way.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1006 Posts |
Can I get some quick comments on these staters. They have been sitting on vcoins for quite a while and am unsure why? Probably price? 7950 USD  6500 Euros  Edited by oh my florin
05/23/2015 12:23 am
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I prefer coin 2. It has a slightly better style.
Condition is most important, but style does count something with these.
I would also prefer coin 2 for another reason. It is $1000 cheaper!
I have actually visited Pella, about 50 klm northwest of Salonica (Thessalonica in the Bible) where the thunderbolt mintmark coins came from.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1006 Posts |
An update the second coin sold for around 14000Usd so the coin that was initially $1000 cheaper actually ended up being $3000 more expensive. Comments?
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Replies: 17 / Views: 2,724 |
Posted 05/21/2015 07:33 am
