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 Replies: 36 / Views: 11,856 |
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Valued Member
United States
422 Posts |
I've been doing a lot of reading on Roman history and one of the area's I would like to start collecting is in the 'Legionary' coins, either bronze but preferably silver. I believe I saw some Legion coins in some of the recent posts as well. My question is what you think this particular Mark Antony Legionary Denarius is worth? It is from the 12th Legion. I know it's not crisp in its detail, but most of the Mark Antony denarius' I seen, regardless of whether they are of the Legion variety or others are not in very good shape for whatever reason. Anyway, this particular coin caught my eye and I thought I would run it by the forum to give me a ball park figure before I went crazy like my Nero Tetradrachm. Thanks guys.   |
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Valued Member
 United States
422 Posts |
Sorry guys! It was minted between 32-21 BC. OB: Galley right. Rev: Aquilla right between two signa; LEG-XII across lower field. 18mm, 3.28 grams.  |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Doing a search on acsearch two of this type are listed one for the VII legion sold $171, and the other for the X sold for $900. Both were in better condition, so unless the XII legion is rarer than the others I would say a value for this coin might be around $70.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Believe it or not, but this Legionary coin is in above average shape. I started trying to collect these coins many years ago but gave up because of the cost of the coins as compared to the condition. I own a few, but most are only barely readable. I don't recall how many there are, but I think it is around 24 Legions. Julius Caesar's favorite legion was the Tenth, recruited in Spain, while Mark Anthony's favorite was the Third Gallica. I own one each of the 2d, 6th, 8th, 11th, 12th and 15th. The most I ever paid was $75 for the 11th and it's in the best condition of them all. I paid $37 for my 12th Legionary Denarius just a little better then a year ago. Admittedly, it's not in the greatest of shapes, but I think comparable to the coin you posted.   |
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
wow, there are 24 legions => that's a pretty fair sized collection in itself (that would be kinda cool/challenging to try and collect all of them!!)
... or maybe just collect "one" stevex6, and then move-on ...
Either way => very cool coins, guys!!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
Antony used a lower quality silver alloy for these coins than was standard in that time. As a result people spent them and hoarded the better coins for a longer period of time. I believe it was Trajan that finally demonetized them but there are a few that turned up in later hoards as late as the denarius still was common. That long circulation means more of the coins were worn down to lower grades than common with most coins and we have a larger number of slick ones. The coins not identifiable to legend are worth rather little but the association of Antony and Cleopatra makes a demand for these that is greater than their condition and lack of rarity would warrant. My best example is special to me not for being high grade but for being on a large flan.  Edited by dougsmit
04/18/2012 7:20 pm
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Valued Member
United States
422 Posts |
Work is a hindrance to a good dialogue on this forum! As usual I get great information from you all. Thanks much!! JW, that Legion XI is one of the best examples of this particular denarius I've seen. I can't believe you only paid $75 for it. (what am I talking about, you always come up with 'The Deal" :). Like echizento, most of what I've seen goes well over a hundred bucks. I don't think the XII legion is that rare, but what dougsmit said makes sense. Just the fact they are Marc Antony and Cleopatra make them more collectible I think. The seller has six different Marc Antony legion coins for sale (auctions). He has the one shown (12th), a 13th, 7th, 6th, 8th and the 3rd which JW says was Antony's favorite. It just so happens that one is probably the best out of the six. Can I get your read on this one: (although it's probably going to be way out of my price range at the end of the auction.)   The reason I didn't start with this one, was I thought it was probably going to go for a lot of money with the better detail. And what JW said about its value to Antony makes me even more sure on that point. The 12th legion was probably in the middle of the pack for detail, so I thought I might be able to get it for around a $100. I know both JW and echizento probably wouldn't pay that much, but I think if I could get that one for a C note I'd be thrilled. BTW Doug, yours is a very unusual Marc Antony, not only for the detail which is awesome, but like you said the large flan. Totally cool! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
That's a very nice Denarius and in above average condition for this type. But you know what I'm going to say. I think $100 is by far way too much for this coin. In today's market, I would think you could find a Legionary Denarius in this condition for around $65-$75. I'd be willing to bet I can find one within a month in roughly the same condition for a better price than $100. But if that is what you are willing to pay and it's what you want, far be it from me to tell you not to buy. I certainly have paid high for coins I really wanted. Good luck my friend.
Regards,
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
This is a nicer coin than the first one. Knowing that Anthony favored this legion more than the others I think it adds just a little more historical value. I think $100 is a little high, if you were able to get it for between $80-$85 IMO that wouldn't be a bad deal.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
937 Posts |
dougsmit, you are right on the money as to why there are so many lower grade and so few choicer pieces in Marc Antony's legionary denarii. I heard that they were in circulation for up to 200 hundred years, which would make sense as that was just before denarii as a whole were to be phased out in favour of the antoninianus.
I've also heard that while there were 24 legions, Marc Antony only had coins struck for ones that accompanied him on his ill-fated journey to Egypt. That would mean that there would be some gaps in a "full set" of legionary denarii. Apparently he honoured his legions on the coins in the first place because of the fact that the quality of silver was low, and he was trying to make up for it by buying the favour of the legionaries by featuring them on the very coins he was paying them with. Anybody know if there's any truth to this story or have I picked up a stray rumour that's not really based in fact? I'd appreciate knowing one way or another.
It's fantastic seeing all you guys with such great legion denarii! I hope to see more!
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Valued Member
United States
422 Posts |
Ok JW. Your on! If this coin goes over $85, I'll wait until one comes up at that price with your help. That's why I put this one on the forum, to get your, and the other member's opinions as well. Especially after the Nero! Thanks guys. That's what I needed to know. For now on it is MR. PATIENCE!
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Valued Member
United States
422 Posts |
Ooops, was looking at echizento's value on this coin. Your's was between 65-75 bucks JW. I won't go over $75 then. I'm not in that much of a hurry and definetly want as nice an Antony as I can find for that amount. It certainly doesn't have to be the 3rd legion either. Now your 11th JW, would be exactly what I would like to find. That is an outstanding example. Thank you my friend.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
OK, I'll be on the hunt. It may not be the third nor even as nice as my 11th, but I will see what I can find and let you know. Just a little patience goes a long way. Quote:
Anybody know if there's any truth to this story or have I picked up a stray rumour that's not really based in fact? I've read this same thing years ago, but I can't remember where. That was when I was first into collecting the Legionary Denarius and I was idealistic enough to think I could get them all in relative short time and with little cash. Yeah, right! I'll see if I can find something to verify this. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
422 Posts |
Thanks JW. Those listed on ebay were the ones I was looking at. They still have a few days left and they are already getting up there in price. There are some nice one, yes? The 20th is interesting though and in that price range. But patience is the watch word and I want to get one that is fairly nice. So we'll see what comes up. Got a whole month! Thanks again JW. BTW, reading some online stuff about the 'baser' quality of these coins. That certainly would be one reason they don't hold up there detail as well as the other reasons posted here. Thanks to all. |
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Replies: 36 / Views: 11,856 |
Posted 04/18/2012 4:44 pm
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