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 Replies: 35 / Views: 3,412 |
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Valued Member
Canada
472 Posts |
The bee is a mint mark, i. e. it says where the coin was minted and when (short explanation), but there's other variants (style) that should also be taken into account... (long explanation) 2 of my drachms from Sardes, with a bee...   And one from Magnesia, also with a bee...  As for the Mesembria coin, I agree with Doug. There are many, many fakes, centered or not...  Cool type but I would not buy one personnaly, too dangerous  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I share everyone's sentiments and congratulations!  Your pick is a better overall coin than what I posted for £ 106--well done!  |
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
DavidUK => hmmm, I admit that buying a coin that is not well-centered may be a good indication that it is not a fake, but who wants to buy a nasty ol' coin that isn't well centered? ... I have zero idea if this coin is fake or real, because it is currently in California, being poured-over by David Sear (man, I hope this coin is okay, for it cost as much to buy as it it is for being authenticated) Thrace, MesembriaSilver Diobol 450 - 350 B.C. 10.10 mm 1.16 grams Obverse: Facing Helmet Reverse: META within the spokes of a radiate wheel  => hey, don't judge me (I have faith that with the authentification whoever is fortunate enough to inherit my coins can easily unload my coins for a good price) ... I have nightmares every now and then that "inheritor-X" thinks that there is no way that these coins are actually real so he/she is gonna sell the entire album for $5 (marked "Interesting Crafts") ...  Edited by stevex6
08/27/2012 6:35 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
I take your points, and maybe this mesembria coin is something that it better I buy in the flesh... I do find it very attractive, so there is no surprise that people counterfeit it but deciding I cannot buy one because of that is like handing the counterfeiters a victory.
This is the same with watches, the Cartier Tank Francais or the Breitling cronograph are two commonly faked watches. When I dealt with watches I was not scared to buy and sell these though...I knew enough to never purchase a Brietling without opening the case and inspecting the movement, and I knew enough to know a real from a fake cartier.
The difference with this Mesembria coin is that maybe I don't have the knowledge at present, maybe that will change.
As for what I was saying about the centering of the coin, my first example that I posted a picture of is still a beautiful coin in my opinion regardless that the helm is not perfect centre. It think that the design of the corinthian helm is iconic and beautiful in an agressive manner, and aestetically I have no problem with it being off central because it is a symetrical shape and it is obvious what the other edge would look like. (quite different to the Drachm where I wouldn't want to lose half of Heracles face)
Thanks for the explaination of the Bee... I don't yet have a book on Greek coins, no doubt I will purchase one in the future.
Anyway, I will not rush my next purchase, and as I see from perusing Vcoins there are many beautiful ancients...I must say I find the Greek coins more interesting that the Roman ones, which is not what I would have expected.
I have much to learn in this new field...I have always loved coins and in this past month I added my first hammered coin and my first ancient one, maybe I was correct to think milled modern coins are superior but what these old coins represent is far more interesting and far more educational than a modern coin whether it be gold or more valuable it has no bearing on it.
Edited by DavidUK
08/27/2012 7:17 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Both Dionysis and dougsmit are right. You can't be too careful when it comes to the Bulgarian forgeries, they are very good at their game.
I really like to examine all pricey ancient coins in hand before deciding to buy, except if I know and trust the dealer.
You can still have a lot of fun with lesser valued late Roman bronzes without such precautions. They are the equivalent of the equivalent of the penny collectors of the U.K. and the U.S.
I would suggest that you buy some Bulgarian forgeries, PROVIDED THAT they are sold to you as forgeries. You need to now what to look for, and you need to examine them closely to gain the experience. Even the best dealers will respect your experience if you can prove it.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Thanks for all your advice... I know you guys know your subject better than I, and also that a little knowledge can be dangerous so I will be extremely cautious and not rush like a bull in a china shop (even if I know that is in my nature)
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Valued Member
Canada
472 Posts |
"I must say I find the Greek coins more interesting that the Roman ones" New to ancients and you already have superior taste  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Quote:
New to ancients and you already have superior taste A matter of debatable opinion. While Greek coins can be very beautiful, so can Roman coins. And, as I have said before, much easier to read and attribute for this old guy anyway. |
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Valued Member
Canada
472 Posts |
"A matter of debatable opinion." If it wasn't for greeks, there wouldn't have been romans. It's an archetype. Romans just copy, reproduce... and rename for most parts |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1411 Posts |
Beautiful Drachma!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
Just in case anyone wants to see it, this one cost me $5 and is as fake as they get.  |
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Valued Member
Ireland
86 Posts |
Wow such a nice coin. I want! Just to show what a noob I am at all this, I thought the Price P102 in the description referred to the cost of the coin, and that you had spent £102 on it!! Ooops!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Hmm I must say this price label thing got me confused also.
The Price equation is the mathmatical formula which shows how altruistic behaviour survives evolution and is benificial to a gene pool, Price took his own life after converting to theism and giving away all of his possesions before cutting his garroted artery with nail scissors.
I am guessing that this has nothing to do with it, but that thought led me to remember Price is a surname also, so perhaps like Krauss it is a catalogue number?
I don't have any reference for Greek coins and for Roman only what appears in Spinks. I don't read the Greek alphabet either (though I will get my girlfriend to teach me, she knows everything linguistic speaking Bulgarian, English, Japanese and Chinese and reading too)
This I will rectify at some stage but for the moment I am just judging what is good and bad by what is available at what prices and using the internet and other tools for reference, and of course I have had some good advice from those on here who seem happy to discuss and share their knowledge.
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Valued Member
Canada
472 Posts |
Price (Martin Jessop) has wrote what is (for now) the most complete / referred to catalog on Alexander III (and Philip III) coins. You will only scarcely go pass such a coin without a "Price" reference, unless someone doesn't know what he's selling. See here... http://www.scribd.com/doc/44307734/...J-Price-1991 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Definately saving that link :) Thanks :)
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Posted 08/27/2012 6:11 pm
