Am I Spending Too Much?

I haven't calculated "value" here...just curious how this slabber managed to apply modern grading numbers to ancients. I like the details on a lot of those!

In arriving at a value for ancients, some of the most important things that apply are:

1.) Condition - Same as how you would assess any coin - how much wear can you see on it?
2.) How well is the coin struck up? Is all if the detail that you can see, how well has the detail transferred from the die?
3.) Is all of the design visible on the coin? Are all of the legends contained on the flan?
4.) Is the flan complete, or are there any defects in it which prevent full presentation of the design, for example flan splits or shape. Is the flan of constant thickness all over?
5.) Quality of style - how well has the design been executed by the die engraver? Is the design of better or poorer quality?
6.) Eye appeal. How does the patina affect the presentation? Some patinas help a coin better than others. Is the overall presentation pleasing to the eye?

Out of a balance of all of this, a value is decided by the buyer, (not the seller), which is most often influenced by similar coins which may be better or worse in some of the factors noted above. When negotiating the price of a coin I reason that I have the initiative, after all, I am the one with the money to spend. It is a bit like buying quality antiques.

TPG's have their place, but it is far easier to disagree with them. Probably explains why some TPG's are not interested in ancients.

IMO, with the coins pictured, all of the coins would receive high marks in all areas. All are pleasing. Like people, none of them are perfect.

If the buyer and seller have a near agreement on the value, perhaps a price can be agreed upon.


In assessing if a coin is a fake or not, a whole different and only partly related set of questions need to be asked.

Hope this helps.


Perhaps others can add some comments to the above list.

You did not over pay for that lot. Some are worth less than the 45.00 average but you have two that are worth more. That Aurelian is really nice and would probably fetch 50.00 - 60.00. Coins of Trebonianus Gallus are fairly scarce and more so in the condition that yours is in. I would pay 85.00 for that coin. It is the gem of the bunch in my opinion.

'As Struck' relating to the amount wear, is a term not used in assessing modern coins. I have seen dealers use this term which I guess would imply a grade better than 'EF'.

I am well known on this forum for being quite frugal when it comes to hunting for and buying my coins. Having said that, I think you over paid and could have done better. Yes the coins are in good condition. Other then the Trebonius Gallus, all the others can be found for less than 20-25 or even less if you are willing to "hunt" (for me the fun part of looking).

oh, and I definitely agree ...

=> once those coins arrive at my house, I am going to liberate them from their plastic-prisons!

Good plan! Those NNC "slabs" are cheap styrene and I'm sure they're not good long-term storage. You'll find they are very easy to bust open.

Thanks again for your opinions, my new ancient brothers ...

It's no secret that I tend to be a bit of an impulse shopper ... so although I may spend a bit too much on some of my purchases, I very seldom let a coin that I really like slip away!

=> it's all good in the end, for I don't plan on selling these gems anyway ... they'll eventually be passed-on to my nephew when the time comes.