A Parthian Tiara-Type Tet Obsession

Nice lineup... 3rd row 4th coin is the one that I seem to be partial too of that set you have going. Good stuff, thanks for sharing.

Beautiful set Bob L

I think all the coins have their own merits but if I had to make a preference it would be the 4th coin second row.

Thanks for sharing Saludos Paul

Just received two more tiara-type tets to add to my mini-collection of them. The top one is a Vologases III (Sellwood 79.6), struck in 121 AD, and the other is a rarer Vologases II (Sellwood 72.2), struck in 77 AD, as seen in dealers' pics below.

Unfortunately these come to me slabbed. The label on the Volo II slab incorrectly attributes that coin as Vologases III. This is just the latest in a number of misidentified NGC-slabbed Parthians I've spotted over the years. Apparently no one at NGC owns a copy of Sellwood.

Prior to this the only Encased Coin I ever won at auction was released from its coffin upon receipt. However, I'm a bit torn with these two. I'd like to set them free but understand the relevance of slabs for eventual resale some years down the line. Not sure which way to go on this, but am leaning towards going to the garage to get my toolbox, where my hammer resides.

I get the obsession, Bob. I'm that way about Roman campgates, in silver and bronze. But these coins have rich detail and much more relief, and so a higher level of artistry. It is an achievement to have assembled such a group. Congratulations.

As for liberating the slabbed items, I would certainly want to liberate the one that is mis-attributed.

Thanks for the comments, guys.

Wonderful set and presentation! Thanks for sharing!

That's a very good question, Paul...one that I don't know the answer to since I've never looked into the matter. Certainly slabbed Parthians retail for higher amounts than unslabbed, but by what general percentage I'm not sure. I expect that percentage varies by the rarity of the issue. I suspect that the slabs also potentially broaden the field of potential buyers since, for right or wrong, they tend to provide some assurance for folks who don't know much about ancients but who may want to occasionally purchase one. Nevertheless, as I said I may be leaning toward breaking these out...I'll give it some time to mull it over. I'm in no hurry.

Great additions! On that first coin from your latest post, it looks like there might be a banker's mark or countermark on the rev. Any ideas of what that is?