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 Replies: 19 / Views: 2,988 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Ok. I certainly have the money for both, but I don't like spending too much at one time, and I want to spend the Christmas money I got (which happens to be enough for just one of the two that I want). So anyways, I found two that I am interested in, this Justinian I follis (it is 17.11g and 31 mm) and this Commodus dupondius(10.2g and 26mm), and I need help in deciding which one to buy. I have neither emperor, and I like to collect both eras (that they were minted in), so both would be equally important additions to my collection, and by coincidence they are both $23 shipped each. Thanks a lot!   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
I'd go for the Commodus of the choices but, honestly, I'd either put the cash away until I could upgrade either one a bit or scale back to a less high end coin coin that I could afford in better condition. Both of these are fully identifiable but not at all in demand in this worn condition. The Commodus is as close to full legend as you are likely to find a coin this worn. At $20, neither is a bad buy but the question is whether you want this now or to put the $20 toward a future purchase. I have coins no better but most of them have been moved to my trade stock and have not remained highlights of my collection.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
If you have to have one, I would go with the Justinian. Even though the bust is pretty worn the legends are fairly clear. If you could hold off, I'm sure you would be able to find better example of either coin, even if you have to pay a few extra dollar.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
 The Justinian would be my choice if I were to buy one or the other. For $20 I would probably go for it. That is not a bad price and I think it is in better condition then many Justinians. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4778 Posts |
Quote:
I'd either put the cash away until I could upgrade either one a bit or scale back to a less high end coin coin that I could afford in better condition. I also would, definitely, but after extensive searching online, these were the best I could find that were in the price range that I am comfortable paying in. And with both Justinian and Commodus, nearly every coin higher in price looked worse IMO than these two (same with those less expensive), especially the Justinian I coins. I rarely upgrade my Roman coins (unless a certain coin looks terrible), so if I buy one of these, it will be a long time before I would decide to upgrade it. Personally, I try to get the best-condition coin possible for me initially (again at a price I am comfortable paying in), and these seem to be it. Thanks for your comments guys. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Yeah, I think I'll go for the Justinian. Thanks again for your opinions!  And before I buy it, I'll shoot them an offer for a lower price. But if they don't budge, I'll still purchase it. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I paid $130 for a Justinian 1 follis (Cyzicus), at auction in October 2011 (this year), with all details fully struck up. I have had to wait several years for this opportunity. Because of the recent purchase, the price paid maybe somewhat relevant to your considerations.
I would be happy to pay $23 the Justinian 1 presented in the pictures, when considering both together here.
I am sure that a nice(r) Commodus will come along eventually. I am still waiting.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Good news! It was originally $20 minus the ship, but I asked them if they could sell it to me for $16.50 + $3 (that is shipping within US) and they agreed!
Edited by VisigothKing
12/28/2011 6:37 pm
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Congratulations, go for it!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
You will enjoy this link as a comparison but be warned it is not a match for your coin so don't think yours is worth over $1000. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=159848The one below is a closer match but officina 4 rather than 2 and a bit nicer: http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=275759I believe the right facing busts are earlier in the reign because the ones with facing busts were year dated starting around year 12 and your coin matches the type used earlier by Anastasius and Justin. Enjoy the coin. It is worth the $19.50 postpaid. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Thanks for the links dougsmit. So during Justinian's reign they did away with the right facing bust entirely? Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever seen a right facing bust coin of any emperor after Justinian I...
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
The only profile busts I know from later are small denominations in gold. I'm no Byzantine specialist so there may be others but I agree with your 'rule'. A coin for the want list has to be a large module Justinian follis with the facing bust. The problem is that faces wear off a facing bust so getting one with a nose can get expensive. By the end of Justinian's long reign, coins had reduced in size so you need one of his if you want a big one. I suggest not passing up any that have facial details in a price you like. I got this one 20 years ago for $25 but have not seen anything approaching that price recently.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
I'm actually tempted now to get a late-Roman or early Byzantine forward bust coin of my own (only have one forward-facing bust coin- a Manuel I trachy), not at the moment though, but maybe sometime in the near future. Very nice coin btw dougsmit.
Edited by VisigothKing
12/29/2011 2:38 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
The Justinian I arrived in the mail today. All I have to say is wow!  At 31 mm and 17.11 g I figured that it was going to be a big one, but in hand it just seems huge. And the details are really nice. Overall it's a stunning coin in hand. It's now the biggest out of all my Byzantine and Roman coins.  For size comparison:   Edited by VisigothKing
01/03/2012 4:52 pm
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Replies: 19 / Views: 2,988 |
Posted 12/28/2011 3:59 pm
