Augustus 2

John, I was so excited I submitted before I thanked you, so thank you so much.


Anyone know of any past sales (husband wants to know, so might have to hide it).

You're very welcome. It's an interesting coin, and I am glad I could help you to ID it.

Best,
John

A 'most excellent' discovery ! Personally I would be thrilled and delighted. If it were mine to covet I would be looking to find someone who would be even more thrilled than myself at the prospect of acquiring a great rarity ...... then work a 'deal' to acquire a VF/XF portrait coin (As or Dup) of either Augustus or Tiberius ....... better yet both !

I only suggest this as such rarities are much more prized by the long time collectors who are inclined to be "ho hum" about more common things like the traditional Roman Imperial issues. While I have collected for almost 40 years ..... I never wearied of those Julio Claudian AE's with the beautiful portraits !

Don't sell it ! Find some old 'poop' who is bored of his standard issue Roman Imperial coins and now seeks out those hard to find rarities like you now have. As it is many (my older brother included) have several examples of one coin which most of us would be happy to have just one of. Augustus Tiberius Caligula and Claudius did not mint a great variety in the As issues. I was fortunate enough to find my 'prize' (Caligula mule) which fell smack in the middle of my own favorite era. Many collectors change adjust the focus as the race begins to wind down so to speak.
I did ! But being a creature of habit I am still stuck on the Julio Claudians. With some patience I bet we can find you the right 'poop' to get you a real knockout As of one the usual suspects.

What I am saying (rather poorly at that) is that having a great rarity allows you to be 'picky'. If someone wants it bad enough they will need to make a sterling offer in trade.
I have not purchased a 'knockout' Julio Claudian As in quite some time (ten years ago when I scarfed a gem Nero for $100 on ebay) .... But from what I have seen with the exception of Claudius .... most sell for significantly more than £68 ! £200 is probably closer to the mark .... if not more.

But it will take some time to find that person too .....
long enough for you to enjoy it for the here and now !

I might be off... If you find the right buyer (and there are plenty of them for neat Provincials, but the difficulty is in finding the right venue to expose the coin to them so that they will see it) it could perhaps sell for significantly more than my estimate. On the right day I wouldn't be surprised if it brought double. However, I don't think it's a 4, 5 or 6-figure coin (I wish it were as I have a few similar things sitting around myself).

One of the areas I collected when I was a collector was Seleukid bronzes. I still have one coin, a tiny issue with a bee on one side and a rose on the other, that I've never sold because I'm just not sure what it is. The legend is Basileos Antiochos. However, the coin is totally unpublished and apparently unique, and I've no idea which Antiochos it is. Neither does Arthur Houghton, who is one of the world's foremost experts on Seleukid coins... It's very nice, high grade, good patina and no problems. I paid $175 for it.

My point in relating all this is a coin is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it... If you think about it, there are something like 100 Eid Mar denarii floating about. An average one of those will sell for $25,000-50,000 any day of the week. My Seleukid coin on the other hand, of which there is probably not a single other specimen in the world and which is incredibly unusual and interesting because of the unique types for Seleukid bronzes, might sell for what I paid for it (if I'm lucky).

Best,
John

Sorry guys, been out on the raz! YOC the seller knows nothing at the moment!

John, don't worry, it is not up for sale, nor would I expect to buy the house in the country if it was :) But in due course, I will get it authenticated by the BM for my own satisfaction. It could be fake or stolen, who knows. There is a similar coin on wildwinds (Augustus) not had time to check it out, different RPC reference and no mention of rarity. I don't have access to RPC, is there any chance you could photo and post the entry?

As far as I am concerned, this is all just good fun. I am going to enjoy the coin, but I will be a bit more careful than usual when handling it, just in case!