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 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,578 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6394 Posts |
I wanted to show off my only other ancient coin. This is a Kyme tetradrachm from 240 BC, graded AU50 by ICG. I don't know how they came up with the grade; it's a well-detailed coin but there is definitely some wear. I'd think an EF grade would be more appropriate... Anyway, I loved this design the first time I saw an example in a Heritage auction catalog. The obverse reminds me of the US Barber silver coins. I remember reading that engraver Charles E. Barber was supposedly looking to ancient coinage for inspiration for the US coin redesigns in 1892. I wonder whether the Kyme coin had any influence on him. I had some trouble getting a decent photo through the slab. I think the high relief of the obverse confused my autofocus. The reverse has lower relief and came out much better.   |
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Forum Mom
 United States
5877 Posts |
I can see an AU grade on this coin. The details are fantastic and. let's face it, the strikes back then weren't the best. You have a beautiful strike that is pretty centered. I do see a little rub which would explain the AU grade. I think it's fairly graded. It's a great coin!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2217 Posts |
It's a very nicely crafted coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2335 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2703 Posts |
Beautiful coin! Thanks for sharing.
The major auction houses (CNG, Freeman and Sear, etc) and dealers in ancients do not use the AU grade. I don't think you will find anyone using AU on vcoins. Most dealers grade ancients using a British-style system: very conservatively by American standards and with reluctance to grade any coin above good EF. "AU" would be roughly equivalent to "EF" or probably closer to "about EF". Not many ancients make the EF grade. I would say this is close to a good VF, because of the wear on the hair on the obverse and the weakness of strike from 4-6 o'clock in the wreath on the reverse.
Edited by t360
06/04/2007 12:31 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Egypt
3470 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
70 Posts |
ICG is trying to fit modern grading to ancients which aren't generally graded that way. In ancients terms this would be aEF or gVF so. Any way you look at it it's a sweet coin.
Edited by AnemicOak
06/04/2007 3:39 pm
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Valued Member
United States
103 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2703 Posts |
Very informative article, thanks shipwreck for posting the link!! BTW there is Kyme tetradrachm in Freeman & Sear's current mail bid sale. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1106 Posts |
Terrific article. I don't collect ancients...yet, but still enjoy looking at the photos and learning a little something in the process.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2703 Posts |
we need to chrycopaul hooked on ancients... he's almost there... we'll get them all, one-by-one... keep the great posts about ancients coming.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1106 Posts |
I will be assimilated. |
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New Member
United States
16 Posts |
WOW, now that's an awesome coin.
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Replies: 12 / Views: 2,578 |
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Posted 06/04/2007 09:48 am
