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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,481 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
http://esty.ancients.info/numis/rarity.htmlThe above is only about 11 years old so it is breaking news when compared to ancient coins but it does a great job explaining why you should not get too wrapped up in the rarity myth. If you are considering spending extra money buying a coin you don't want because someone told you it was rare, at least read this page first. It is brought to you by the same guy who has the best site on the web for Valentinian/Theodosius era late Roman coins (RIC Volume IX).
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1045 Posts |
Thanks for posting the link Doug. I think this would be a great "must read" for any new ancient collectors. It is so true what Warren Esty says about people trying to "create" a new type for seemingly every possible little detail solely so they can have a "rare" coin. Check out any Morgan dollar thread and it is mind boggling to read about all of the new types that have been "discovered". This 1883 looks like an 1888 when it is a full moon, so it must be a new extremely rare type. Eureka!  -Kurt |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
That's a good article on rarity! The hair-splitting I've experienced with US coins may explain my recent collecting interest in ancients--simply because there is such an inexaustible variety of coins that I never need to get bored by the limitations of a single country or era. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
560 Posts |
Excellent article. People will always collect what interests them and some are interested in filling holes (I'm one of them). But it's always good to get a little perspective about what actually constitutes a "series." I also enjoyed the " ebay glossary" at the end. Thanks for posting! |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I would much rather have a common ancient coin with high overall presentation, than a rare ancient with poor overall presentation. Presentation, of which condition is only one the contributory factors to value is obviously important, and quite often much more important than rarity.
I agree that rarity can have a a strong influence on SOME ancients, especially those coins with excellent presentation and that market demand does have an influence on the value of some ancients.
When excellent presentation rarity and demand coincide, you have a recipe for astronomical values.
Edited by sel_69l
03/17/2012 01:37 am
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Very interesting article and to the point on rarity.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Quote:
I would much rather have a common ancient coin with high overall presentation, than a rare ancient with poor overall presentation. I guess I have not erred in selecting coins for their appearance/aethetics.  Quote:
When excellent presentation rarity and demand coincide, you have a recipe for astronomical values. Such as this example--a coin I would take in any grade, even broken in half! I would even enjoy owning a nice silver copy (marked as such).   |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
A good article - beginners should take note that rarity is often overturned by desirability. Warren has a few good pages making confusing subjects easier to understand. Quote:
Such as this example--a coin I would take in any grade I agree, would love one of these. Is this coin, the one pictured, Robocops? I know it was up for auction a few months ago but never been able to find what it sold for, anyone know? |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
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Is this coin, the one pictured, Robocops? If it is "I'd buy that for a dollar".  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
 This one sold last September for 475,000 "Robocop dollars" |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I found that coin on acsearch too--it last sold in 2008 for CHF 230000  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
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I found that coin on acsearch too--it last sold in 2008 for CHF 230000 It also sold in 2004 for CHF 120000, not a bad return for its then owner. Since the second gold coin was branded a fake it must now be worth around CHF 500000, maybe even 1million! Edited by bobbyhelmet
03/17/2012 3:35 pm
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,481 |
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Posted 03/16/2012 11:38 pm
