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 Replies: 32 / Views: 2,537 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3446 Posts |
I have 2 large Ptolemy's but it didn't seem practical for jewelry to me. I opted for a small 22mm size. Besides it had a better portrait than the 'Big Brothers'.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2480 Posts |
I am torn on size. Large is probably OK in this instance as the intended wearer (a man) is not exactly a shrinking violet. Personally, I wouldn't want to wear a necklace that large or heavy though. I'm also looking at some Roman provincial alternatives (BI tets) but for my purposes, the portrait of Zeus-Ammon on the Ptolemies is closer to what I want.
Decisions decisions....
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3446 Posts |
'Noob'
I have heard the same explanations of the 'dimple' on the Alexandrian and Balkan AE issues. Interestingly while these people attribute this mark to some sort of lathe like device they also insist that a far simpler machine like a drop forge was beyond the capabilities of the ancient engineers for stamping large sized bronze coins. A drop forge is not as complex as a lathe. Besides if you were to try and hold a bronze disk with 2 rounded pins the disk would would stop spinning as soon as you put a file to it.
Having worked in hardware manufacture I have seen marks like this on metal parts being expelled from a die set. A small hole is set with a spring loaded pin in the center of the die. After the piece is stamped the part is expelled by the action of the spring. The pin is adjustable and usually left a tiny mark. But if an error was made in setting the pin (usually after a breakage) the pin could potentially leave the same type of dimple as shown on these coins.
I do not know if the marks are left by pins ......
But I do not 'like' the explanations provided by the experts who as far as I know never worked in a 'sweatshop' banging out communications hardware like I did.
When I was 14 years old too!
Although I must admit the 'oldman' never let me work on the 20 ton presses ....
Until I was 16 !
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
FR- To some extent I agree with you. Sometime ago there was a debate on FAC about this, when I last read it, it was quite informative, if you can look past all these "experts" flaunting egos which takes so much away from the discussion. I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't made with a screw press. I am not an expert on these and have only my one coin. So I just sit back and  . |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
I bought one just now and I think this is the one I'll use for the gift, meaning it will be bezel-set. It's nice, has all the features I wanted, size is big but not huge, good price. 38mm, 44gm. But now of course I love these and need to buy one or two for myself, not for jewelry but for the joy of owning and touching such a fabulous style of coin   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3446 Posts |
I have little clue as to what the 'Big Boys' fetch these days. As I now discover that I have 3 I would be willing to entertain offers on the little Bro 34mm. But I am sure this one would not meet your ...... needs
Very nice Big 'Fellah' by the way. I will assume it came in north of $100 ! But they do carry a punch that a dime sized coin can never achieve
Edited by FVRIVS RVFVS
07/19/2013 1:16 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
This one was $125, which is a very good price when comparing it to similar sized coins-- the details on this one are much better than the others I was considering; nice patina, nicely round, etc. I think it is an excellent price based on my comparison shopping.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3446 Posts |
Not bad at all. And if the recipient is an ingrate and doesn't like it.
You always dent his head with it.
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Pillar of the Community
Netherlands
1204 Posts |
What is your opinion about this one? Its in the same condition and for sale   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
Dutch-- My opinion (worth the price you're paying for it...) Good details but the corrosion detracts from eye appeal. Not terribly though. What's the size? Quote:
And if the recipient is an ingrate and doesn't like it.
You always dent his head with it.  Yeah, it will make quite an effective weapon. The gift story is interesting and perhaps I might post the details in a couple of months, after the gift is given. |
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Pillar of the Community
Netherlands
1204 Posts |
42,73g - 36mm - its not the very huge one but still big..
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
Despite the corrosion I rather like it. Zeus-Ammon has an almost dreamy look and the way the roughness surrounds the bust rather than obscuring it almost looks cloud-like. It does have some appeal.
If you're in the market for one, shop around. I've found at least a couple of hundred online so far. You may decide that this one is the best for you, but you never know til you see everything there is to see at the time you're looking.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3446 Posts |
It appears to be a 'Jumbo' size. The surface corrosion detracts but it better than having pits. Besides it looks like it may have been given a long bath to remove most of the crusty stuff. It is possible that another year long soaking will remove most if not all of the remaining 'stuff'. In which case you might get a great deal and be very pleased with yourself later.
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Pillar of the Community
Netherlands
1204 Posts |
Hmm difficult.. its an attractive coin..but not for free '-)
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Pillar of the Community
Netherlands
1204 Posts |
I was outbid in the last second, sold for 87 dollars... :(
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Replies: 32 / Views: 2,537 |
First Page
Posted 07/18/2013 05:16 am
