| Author |
 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,736 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1192 Posts |
I've been collecting Roman and Greek for a couple years now, but I don't have many Byzantine pieces. This is my first pre-1800s gold coin, and she's a beauty if I may toot my own horn :) There is something about ancient coins with lustre and that are nearly as struck that really captivates me. HERACLIUS, 610-641 A.D. AV SOLIDUS (4.45 GM.), STRUCK CIRCA 616-625 A.D. CONSTANTINOPLE MINT EF EX CNG Obv: Crowned facing busts of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantine; cross between their heads Rev: Cross potent on three steps; E/CONOB. DOC II 13d; SB 738. EF. Sharp and lustrous specimen struck with fresh dies. Ex Classical Numismatic Group Auction 60 (May 22, 2002, lot #1996). My image that someone else touched up nicely for me:  Picture from when it was sold at auction a decade ago:  |
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Valued Member
United States
149 Posts |
Oh wow, that is a very cool coin.
How much did it cost you?
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Look at how teensy the legend is! Mustve been a bugger to cut the dies for it.
Hardly any wear either - lovely example of whatever it is these htings are called! Tremissis? Solidus?
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
1192 Posts |
I also found the little "tab" at 2-3 o'clock on the obverse to be interesting. The best explanation I have been given for it is that the flan was slightly misshaped. Before striking it was folded over on itself (easy to do since it is virtually pure gold), and then struck. The extra thickness of that part of the coin made the beaded border on the die show up much better on that point.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1192 Posts |
High 3 figures :) But worth every penny to me. I think I am addicted to ancient gold now.
It's a Solidus. Weighs in at 4.5 grams and is about the size of a nickel.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
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New Member
Belgium
10 Posts |
Not bad. Not bad at all ! It's 'only' a Heraclius, but it's a nice grade solidus ! Congrats !
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3167 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Congratulations. Seems you are quite happy with it. You should be!
You will find that such a 'star' coin in a collection of ancients will provide the inspiration to deepen your interest in them and will provide the encouragement to grow your collection over a lifetime.
That is what happened to me.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1192 Posts |
^ I sure hope that is what happens :) I am already a little smitten with ancients, especially the higher relief/grade pieces.
My goal for about two years now is to go for more quality and less quantity. So far so good :)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
That is a fantastic coin! Great details!  Congrats! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4981 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1569 Posts |
I just dribbled saliva on my keyboard...... very nice buy buddy.  You will never soar like an eagle if you hang around with turkeys.....
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Fantastic details on this coin! |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I have a few ancient gold coins some Roman, some not, but not in the condition that this one is.
Word of advice whem buying ancient gold: ALWAYS do due diligence when it comes to authenticity. There are some really good fakes in good gold out there.
Educate yourself on what to look for in a fake, and only get them from a very reputable dealer unless you can prove the provenance. with supporting documentation.
I have kept ALL of the supporting documentation with my coins, and some of that goes back over three decades. That is how I will posthumously support the provenance of my coins when I turn my toes up.
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,736 |
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Posted 03/16/2013 7:32 pm
