| Author |
 Replies: 28 / Views: 3,751 |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
I have been looking for quite sometime for a coin of this ruler and I have permission to from the homefront to put an offer in I put an offer for 200. The seller had it listed for $999. I figured this was just a high ball number he put in he came back $365 which is too rich for my blood. I would like to take some suggestions or opinions on value, authenticity and condition, and what is a good value for this item. It is a bit out of my comfort zone and would entertain any ideas or suggestions anyone might have. http://www.ebay.com/itm/18090191569....m1432.l2649 |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2135 Posts |
It looks rather good but is it genuine ?
I don't think it's the right weight for a didrachm, and I think it's a bit low weight for a tetradrachm.
I would certainly like to see the edge, I wonder whether it's been tooled.
I suggest you refer it to the CoinForgeryDiscussionList@yahoogroups.com
Edited by Pertinax
09/20/2012 10:34 am
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
5155 Posts |
The tetradrachms as far as I know are low 10g. Maybe you guys no more then me, I have no idea but I love the look of the coin. I think it is supposed to be tetradrachm rather then didrachm.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I have no idea about these coins Anoob, but you have to wonder about a seller willing to discount 66% of his asking price. That would make me suspicious of the product.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
agreed...JW...but I can't justify anything being wrong with the coin...I am at a loss. I though maybe he was discounting because noone else was interested or the fact that the reverse legend is 3/4 off flan. I am dont like spending like that but figured you guys would steer me in the right direction.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Thanks TJ I think it is Sear 7596... @9.73g
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
I am not sure what to do, I so love the coin...and I think its real....oh no ....more opinions please!
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
I'm one that dosn't like to use the word fake...but what I see in the field just don't look right, down at the bottom of the ob. looks like the letters MEN have been put over some else.. I don't know much about Ancient fakes, but to spend that much money just be careful..  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
I have no experience with a Menander didrachm as listed but the tetradrachm of the type weighs in at what he gives for this coin making me wonder where he got the ID. The seller has very few coins and everything is grossly overpriced so he is obviously one of those who lists high and sells for less. $365 is a fair price for a decent but not high grade tetradrachm but this one strikes me as a bargain basement model worth less assuming it is genuine. I suspect it is genuine but would not buy it from a dealer who obviously knows little about coins. If you want a nice coin of Menander, the smaller drachms (about 2.5g) can be had in high grade for less than this and you might ask yourself if you would be happier with a better drachm than with a low end tet. I'd get a drachm with a heroic or helmeted bust and full legends before I would pay $300 for a genuine tet that looks like this. Just an opinion. I did not find a perfect one for the price but there are many decent midgrade ones for $50-$150 available from trusted dealers. http://www.numismall.com/High-quali...-v77471.html |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
@All- I truly appreciate your guys opinions. Having trusted you guys before and had never steered me wrong I am inclined to take a step back on this item... Again thanks all.
|
|
Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Having no knowledge of this coin type and only relying on my impression of the coin. I would have to say that before I would spend that much money I would need to have the coin certified by and expert.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I have a nice Menander drachm that I got for less than $90. I bought mine from a well-known antiquities dealer--with a lifetime guarantee of authenticity. If I bought a didrachm or tetradrachm for $$$, I would want just as much certainty. My Menander I drachm:  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Beautiful coin...and I don't think your offer is unfair. I think for $200-$250 it would be OK but thats only my opinion (and not a highly educated opinion either) Here are a couple of relevant pics off vcoins... A similar design but different denomination.  A different ruler and design but as you see it makes claims about the standard weight for an indo-greek tetradrachm being 9.58g so I guess that makes your coin a tetradrachm not a didrachm.  Edited by DavidUK
09/20/2012 6:18 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
I am just so torn, I feel like I really like this piece. It is a large denomination, which would fit into my larger collection of the tetradrachm denominations of all over the ancient world. The obverse I think is gorgeous. I considered looking at the smaller drachm denomination and the obverse on those is really neat, "the heroic" bust. I have one in super bad condition that you guys ID'ed for me. The drachm is small, even for drachms. I feel as tho I might be going against the norm and slightly favoring the large weaker example rather then the smaller more "heroic example" Athough I think that obverse picture and reverse script really cement the feeling of culture of the time. I am not really sure what to do. I think we can agree on $250. I really think that with out these certain "imperfections" I might not be able to afford the larger denomination with all the trimmings. The sickness that is ancient coins. There is a lot of things I like that I wish I had. I would kill for a Carthaginian electrum stater c. 300 BC Wow... well I guess I can dream.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
V coins have a couple of menander tetra-drachms and they are all the money... if you want the coin I think even at $250 it isn't over priced. Yes it can be a sickness... I have the same situation with an Athens silver stater... I want one and keep sseeing them £300-400 for a nice one, its a lot of money to spend on a coin so I wrestle with my concience... but it is better to get a good sized, well preserved coin for a lot of money than a heap of coins you aren't satisfied with even if they are less money. We all have one or two pieces in our collection that hurt us to purchase because we had to pay top dollar but the pain goes away in time and we are glad we have those pieces. We also have pieces where we scrimped and took a lesser example and the imperfections always niggle at us slightly. Only you can decide how much you want it but I have seen that coin on ebay before and thought it had good eye appeal. |
| |
Replies: 28 / Views: 3,751 |
Posted 09/20/2012 10:43 am
