More From Tif's Folly Mixed Lot, The Better Imperials

12 Step Plan by Whizb4ng

Step 1: Don't buy more coins
Step 2: Fall off wagon
Step 3: Wait, what was Step 1 again
Step 4: Repeat until reach Step 12 and throw up hands in despair that you may never change

Neat coins by the way

On the spreadsheet I'm also pasting links to prior sales of comparable coins as well as ones currently for sale. Trying to understand the potential value of each.

One coin for which I found no comps is, surprisingly, the Posthumus Providentia. It's not an uncommon coin according to the sources I found.

The wildwinds entry listed it as a Lyons mint but the info for the coin shown said Cologne. From what I can tell based on hairstyle, mine was minted in Cologne so that's what I'm putting down. Maybe the RIC number doesn't change for the mint, you just indicate which mint? (obviously I'm not a RIC pro)



Posthumus, 259-268 AD
antoninianus, 20 x 22 mm, 3.0 gm
struck 263 AD in Cologne
Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate bust right
Rev: PROVIDENTIA AVG, Providentia standing left, legs crossed, leaning on column, holding cornucopiae, and pointing with baton at globe at foot
Ref: RIC VII 81, Cologne

The old manilla envelope holding the coin simple said "Rome?" on the outside, with "1.50" on the inside. Most of the other Imperials in the same hand, same type of envelope, and same type of writing indicate that the previous owner (or some previous owner) was likely American and bought most of them in 1958, with the price written under the flap for many of them. So I guess that person paid $1.50 for it. Many of the others say "Kramer, May 1958" under the flap. Wonder if Kramer was an individual or a coin store.

It was more than that. Taken individually, I'm certainly ahead by the numbers. But... considering that I don't actually want most of them, not such a great deal

There is definitely entertainment value though.

If I were to sell them all I'd likely come out ahead but selling takes time and effort.

The Gallienus is not bad considering the usual state of his coins. Interesting reverse too.

I like the Caracalla, nice mean Caracalla-y portrait.

Here's the solo shot of the Caracalla.



Caracalla, 198-217 AD
Rome, struck 215 AD
AR denarius, 19 mm, 3.8 gm
Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, laureate head right (looks like GURM instead of GERM)
Rev: PM TRP XVIII COS IIII, Fides standing left holding two standards
Ref: RIC 266, RSC 315, BMC 143

The envelope says $30 in pencil. Looks like the same person's writing and most of the others have a date in the late 1950's, of the ones which have any such info on the envelope.

I like these coins TIF, some are in extremely fine condition and have high sales value!

And the Septimius, which upon seeing the photos seems to have some kind of plaster-like schmutz in the interstices. I'm terrible at cleaning so I'll just leave it alone.



Septimius Severus, 193-211 AD
AR denarius,Rome
20 mm, 3.3 gm
Obv: IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG, laureate head right
Rev: VIRT AVG TR P COS, Virtus standing left holding Victory and spear
Ref: RIC 24, RSC 752, BMC 33

I think I see what you have here with this big lot. It is not a gem killer super lot but what it is a super lot that offers pretty much one of each of the more common kinds of coins. When most people close their eyes and think about ancient coins this is what they picture. A popular Greek tetradrachm, the multitude of interesting, common, VF and inconsequential 3rd century rulers eludes to dealer lot. You might not like all the coins but I urge you to appreciate what is there in terms of becoming familiar with the different fabrics, patinas and styles in hand. As for not being happy with some of the coins...well...when you start discarding coins there will be a mad rush to grab them... Some wont remember to look IN the carpet.