| Author |
 Replies: 28 / Views: 4,448 |
|
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
DVC: You have to say what you have to say, and deliberately leave your own comments open to examination by others who may have more or less expertise than yourself.
At least that is my approach. From this reiterative process, we all stand to learn from each other.
I well appreciate your comments here.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 3352 Posts |
Oh my, it gets even better => he won't stop! => like a fat-chick addicted to chocolate, stevex6 continues to purchase random coins at break-neck speed! Roman Imperial - Constantinopolis Commemorative. Æ19. Heraclea mint, 330-333 AD. CONSTAN-TINOPLI, helmeted & laureate bust of Constantinopolis left. / Victory standing left on prow of a galley, holding transverse across her body spear & shield, SMHD in ex. Composition: AE, weight: 1.90 gm. diameter: 19 mm.    Edited by stevex6
03/19/2012 8:08 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
Hey-hey-hey => don't pull your punches, DVCollector (don't be deleting any of your passionate responses => that's totally a foul!) ... hey, buying coins is a learning experience ... NOTE => the next ancient Greek Coin that I even consider purchasing is gonna be sent directly to you for initial approval (I 100% appreciate your critique) ... you have inadvertently become stevex6's mentor (get ready for that dynamic!)  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
That's a very nice Constantinopolis. Nearly perfect. I had it in my watch list but didn't bid because I already have one of that mint and officina. Almost as nice.
I don't think you have to worry about this one. These Constantinopolis coin are not faked very often and the ones I have seen you wouldn't want one anyway.
|
|
Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Beautiful coin, well struck and well centered. I would say this is EF. Congrats on an excellent buy.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Quote:
Hey-hey-hey => don't pull your punches, DVCollector (don't be deleting any of your passionate responses => that's totally a foul!) NOTE => the next ancient Greek Coin that I even consider purchasing is gonna be sent directly to you for initial approval Thanks for appreciating my advice--I'll try.  Yeah--I pulled that comment because I said it all before; it's not like saying it again makes it more certain.  And, nice Constantinopolis Commemorative! Edited by DVCollector
03/19/2012 10:08 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
When a coin type was produced for 200 years from a dozen mint locations spread over a wide geographic range, we have to expect variations. Experts in Alexander would compare coins to others from similar dates and locations but those, like me, who do not collect them as a specialty will look at the differences and not know if it right or wrong. I feel comfortable with a few Alexander types but many, especially, of the later copies really strike me as odd and would make me nervous to buy them. That is why we are always suggesting purchase through a trusted dealer. This is especially the case for high dollar, high variability coins like Alexanders. Price, the book on this series, is a huge book filled with complexities that makes it too expensive for guys like me who will never own enough of the covered coins to justify the expense. Without a copy of Price, I'd feel uncomfortable with which variations are to be expected and which point to fakes.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
dougsmit => thanks
Ummm, but is there any chance that you could give me a slightly more thorough description of this "Price" book?
Also, "if" I was going to send this/these coins to a pro-grading outfit, so someone with more experience could examine my coins closely, which grading outfit would you or anyone on this site recommend? (are there any that have more experience/knowledge in ancient coins?)
Thanks
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Quote:
...who do not collect them as a specialty will look at the differences and not know if it right or wrong. I feel comfortable with a few Alexander types but many, especially, of the later copies really strike me as odd and would make me nervous to buy them. Doug, those are wise words. I didn't intend to critique a coin from a place of ignorance.  My comparison shows my thought process before I buy a coin myself--I tend to "weed out" coins that deviate too much from standards seen across large populations. Granted, I don't have much ancient coin experience, but I do have some knowledge of ancient cultural works--I worked for a university-level archaeological publisher for 15+ years and read every book within reach on the subject. From that exposure, I've come away with an understanding that much of ancient art was created under a "canon" that can be inferred from consistency of their architecture, sculpture, and painting. Art in ancient times was not merely decorative as is often the case today. In the public sphere, it was used to reinforce a city-state's certitude in their power, religion, and culture. In the public's eye, an uniformity in public works would create a sense of trust in their culture and regime, and to some degree I suspect that same consistency would be applied to their currency. Finally, I really didn't intent to create a "stir" here or come across as too confident of my (limited) experience. I'm terribly verbose when I "think aloud" on this subject--and I enjoy looking for underlying principles behind ancient art--even on coins. When something strays from the norm, it never hurts to ask why. For example, when I see a coin such as below sold as an "Alexander the Great tetradrachm"--a list of questions comes to mind. Does this coin show "artistic license" within an official mint; or is it a barbarous copy? Why is the flan so cracked, and why is it underweight (16.4g)? Would a contemporary to this coin accept it as payment without question? --just questions here, no certain answers.  Edited by DVCollector
03/20/2012 3:14 pm
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
DVC: That last tetradrachm you presented has stalled me. I will just stand back on this one, and read the comments to find what I can learn.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Sel--same here, it's these non-standard coins that make me go  Where do they fit? As you mentioned earlier--I also enjoy raising questions to hear something I haven't considered before. Sometimes, doing this-->  a few times helps me figure things out--or just accept I never will. Edited by DVCollector
03/20/2012 9:28 pm
|
| |
Replies: 28 / Views: 4,448 |
First Page
Posted 03/19/2012 8:00 pm
