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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,175 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
842 Posts |
This type of coin is one of the big icons from the ancient field of numismatics. I have always had a desire to own one, and today I decided the time had come.  Apollonia Pontika AR Drachm 14.16mm 2.68g Circa 450 B.C. I believe this to be SNG BMC 160 from Thrace. This will be my first Greek coin, and it is now my oldest coin by FAR. In fact, it is 258 years older than my next oldest coin. I would like opinions on this coin. Aside from the obverse being slightly off-flan, what else can you say about it? Also, I would like to hear your thoughts as to its value. I will eventually post what I paid for it within the next day or so. Thanks for your time, guys! |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Very nice  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Yeah, I liked it too so I bought one a couple of weeks ago. Interesting obverse wouldn't you say? I can tell you I paid $66.50 for mine. When I was researching the coin, I read something about being able to tell the years they were struck based on the differences in the face/hair of the Gorgoneian. Mine is different from yours only because of the sequence it was minted (but now I don't recall which was first or last); Here is mine:  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
To me, what is unusual about this coin is the way the flan has worn through the outer silver layer to expose a more porous core below. I have heard that this can be the result when the flans were acid treated before striking causing 'surface enrichment' of the flan making the outer layer higher purity than the center but I am no expert in the details or even if that is what we are seeing here. This shows best on the anchor and the ringlet curls on the head. From a value sense, most collectors would prefer a coin that had smooth silver over the entire surface and better centering. Another problem with this issue is that it is one that is known to have been heavily counterfeited in the last 20 years. I am not an expert in this type and, personally, would not buy one except from a dealer that I knew was experienced in them and whom I trusted. I am not saying I believe this coin to be bad but just that it is one that always has to be watched due to its recent history.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
842 Posts |
Quote:
To me, what is unusual about this coin is the way the flan has worn through the outer silver layer to expose a more porous core below. I also thought it was unusual, and that helped me in my decision to buy this one. As for counterfeits, I do not believe this to be one myself (obviously, or I would not have bought it!  ). If anyone believes differently please let me know and explain why you think so. Anyways, I actually like how the porosity shows here. It kinda adds character IMO. JW, I think you are right about the date baed on hair and face differences. I have come to the understanding that the rolled hair like my coin is the oldest version, whereas yours is slightly newer. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Yours is nice, and for being small coins, they have a lot of impact. Mine also shows some of the same porosity, which I thought might be silver crystallization?   In case you're curious--I paid $56 for mine. Edited by DVCollector
04/20/2012 3:20 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4980 Posts |
cool coin...but what is that on the reverse? I'm seeing an A, a lobster, and an anchor...or is that just my Rorschach test type interpretation.
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Moderator
Australia
16869 Posts |
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...but what is that on the reverse? I'm seeing an A, a lobster, and an anchor... That's more or less correct. The "A" is the initial of the city that issued it (Apollonia). The critter is usually called a "crayfish" in the coin catalogues. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
842 Posts |
Well, I paid $44 all told for this coin. I think it to be worth slightly more, perhaps about $55.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
And JW, looks like you won on finding the good deal--the detail on yours is fantastic! |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,175 |
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Posted 04/20/2012 12:03 am
