| Author |
Replies: 51 / Views: 4,048 |
|
|
|
Valued Member
 United States
86 Posts |
Not sure if anyone is still checking this thread out, but in any event, I just wanted to give an update on my first ancient coin purchases.
On a Heritage auction I bought an Alexander/Zeus, lifetime-early posthumous. The auction experience was stressful but fun!
I'm still looking for an Athena Owl and a Caesar Elephant. I've decided to stay away from purchasing a coin from a European dealer/auctioneer. Not because I'm concerned about fakes, but because there are so many purchasing variables. So I'm sticking with US auctions and US retail sites.
|
|
Moderator
 United States
189219 Posts |
Congratulations! 
|
|
Moderator
 United States
34426 Posts |
Quote: On a Heritage auction I bought an Alexander/Zeus, lifetime-early posthumous. Be sure to start a new thread featuring this coin once you have it in hand!
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz
|
|
Moderator
 United States
189219 Posts |
Quote: Be sure to start a new thread featuring this coin once you have it in hand! 
|
|
Valued Member
 United States
86 Posts |
I hope you guys don't laugh and roll your eyes when you see it!
|
|
Valued Member
 United States
86 Posts |
Worth $950 shipping included? Seller is trusted. The info provided: Kroll 8 (what does this mean?); SNG Copenhagen 31; Dewing 1591-8. 16.94 g, 26mm, 10h. Extremely Fine. 
Edited by floyd5175 02/25/2025 09:54 am
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7292 Posts |
I only have 2 ancients and I got mine locally. I don't know enough about these to purchase not graded so I can't comment, I don't know if its even real.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
I'd say it's worth the money floyd5175. Nice well centered example. As you know by now, you can get ugly ones for less.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq 02/26/2025 09:50 am
|
|
Moderator
 United States
34426 Posts |
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz
|
|
Valued Member
 United States
86 Posts |
Thanks, Spence! Looks like I've got some weekend reading ahead of me!
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Portugal
674 Posts |
floyd5175 I would say no. Half of that ask price would be a bit expensive for me. And to call it extremely fine is misleading. The owls are high relief. That one looks very soft and it is not from a weak strike.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
220 Posts |
Quote: I only have 2 ancients and I got mine locally. I don't know enough about these to purchase not graded so I can't comment, I don't know if its even real. I only have three Greeks. After the first (Larissa drachm), I bought a well-made fake of it to try to better understand the differences. I still don't think I'd be able to tell real versus fake of a series I don't know very well (reference books, hundreds of auction references) if they both passed the ring test. My other two are Messana hares. With extensive auction records & an expensive primary reference, it's easier to get a "feel" for the stylistic differences and what real ones looks like. The sheer volume of fakes amongst ancients is a big reason I don't pursue them. I don't know of any good advice for people with a potential interest in the field other than to assemble a black cabinet & extensive library.
|
|
Valued Member
 United States
86 Posts |
Okay... another broad, blanket, umbrella question: If a coin is slabbed by NGC, what are the chances it's fake? 0%? 10%? 25%? 50%?
Okay, two questions: Have the NGC slabs themselves been faked?
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Russian Federation
5176 Posts |
The question is a bit too broad and blanket for this context...
If a coin is slabbed by NGC, I'd say there's probably around a 1-2% chance it's fake; but this is probably higher specifically for ancients, because they don't deal with those as much and are thus more likely to miss fakes.
NGC slabs have definitely been faked! But I'm not sure if this had ever happened with specifically ancient coins, because collecting ancient coins in slabs is a lot less popular in the first place.
(The same answers would have applied to PCGS, except I don't think PCGS slabs ancient coins at all.)
|
|
Valued Member
 United States
86 Posts |
They're bought! I've dived headfirst into the ancient coin shallow end! Many of you will probably roll your eyes at my choices and for spending this much (around $2,200 after buyer premium) on my first coins, and you'll probably have a point!
I'll post photos and details once I have all three coins in my possession. Should I start a new thread or post here?
Alexander III (lifetime/early posthumous) Attica Athena Owl (mid-mass) Caesar Military (elephant)
Edited by floyd5175 03/06/2025 10:49 am
|
| |
Replies: 51 / Views: 4,048 |