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 Replies: 30 / Views: 4,770 |
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Valued Member
United States
209 Posts |
You can skip to the bottom for the short version. I was browsing ancientcoinguys's collection at http://romanvmimperivm.com/ and noticed something. I've been collecting ancients for a little over a year now, I browse auctions constantly for bargain aquisitions and have aquired a few Licinius I's for next to nothing that way, but I don't remember ever seeing a Licinius I coin in really bad shape. After a minute of thinking, I went to see what forvm had for sale in the shop and all of the ones there are in pretty good shape. Short version: Is it me or are the coins of Licinius I generally in much better shape than most other rulers? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
I've seen more than a few Licinius I or II in bad shape. Although, I'm not sure how they stand up in terms of manufacture and preservation as compared to other coins. Here are two of mine, father and son.  Licinius I  Licinius II I paid around $5 for each of these coins. Not the best, but certainly not the worst either. In my opinion. |
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Valued Member
 United States
209 Posts |
Nice coins. I have seen a couple of not so hot ones, but nothing as bad as the dollar bin Constantius II's. I like the coins of Licinius, he is one of the rulers whose portraits tend to look a little cartoonish to me. Simple clean lines and stylized features. One of my favorite emperors in that regard.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
I like licinius coins too. Here are a couple reverses that have the dotted faces.   |
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Valued Member
United States
209 Posts |
That first one from jwharper is one of the worst I have seen from Licinius, but even that one has a decent reverse. Great coins jessvc1. That first one retains a lot of detail for being worn down a bit. Very nice.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Quote:
That first one from jwharper is one of the worst I have seen Thanks |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
This is one of my wildwinds examples and my favorite licinius reverses. I like jupiters face, the eagle, victory and you can see jupiters toes and fingers!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
946 Posts |
Out of the three coins of Licinius I, that I have owned, this was the worst.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
Here is one I bought but it never arrived in the mail.  Here is one that I do have.  |
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Valued Member
United States
209 Posts |
Sorry jwharper, was just saying that even a Licinius that is considered bad is still good compared to lower end coins from other emperors thave seen. I thought I had another one of Licinius, maybe in one of my soak jars. This was in the 5 dollar range too.  |
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Valued Member
United States
209 Posts |
Oh, almost forgot, that is an awesome reverse jessvc. Hell, all these are good coins, that is kind of why I made this post.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
I believe what you may be seeing here is not that Licinius is better preserved but that there is less demand so you have a better chance of getting a decent coin. Coins of Constantine I are more common but also more popular due to the Christian connection. Relatively few people collect Licinius so prices for common coins allow you to get nicer coins. I'm not sure why anyone buys poor grade, common late Romans of any ruler since there are plenty of decent ones. Most low end Licinius coins are either rare types of things someone cleaned themselves and wonders why no one is willing to pay them for the coin. If you can get a decent looking one for $5 and a nice one for $10, do you think there is a high demand for ugly ones for $2? I still buy Licinius coins that I don't have but I do not pay much unless they are very special.
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Valued Member
United States
209 Posts |
That angle had not occured to me. There are no coin shops or fairs that come through my area so I suppose my context of pricing and quality are pretty much limited to forvm auctions and sales. Good point.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I may have one of the worse looking Licinius (I don't remember how I came to own it), but I have another struck at London which is one of my favorites. An AE Follis, RIC VII 3:   |
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Replies: 30 / Views: 4,770 |
Posted 07/15/2012 1:41 pm
