Ancient Coin Grading (Post Your Coins)

There is a common language for grading--it is called a photograph.

Pros agree that the technical term "grade" refers to wear alone, regardless of original strike or current surfaces (which are factors listed separately by NGC). I use the term "condition" to encompass all relevant factors. There are so many that it is hopeless to try to put them on one scale of worse to better.

If one really wants a common terminology to discuss value/cost (which is what the US slab grading system is), then that is much different in the context of ancient coins. If you want a US Seated Liberty dollar they is a good chance you want only one. They the question is appeal versus price and both appeal and price are closely tracked by MS-system numbers. In US coins it would be heresy to prefer a MS-53 to a MS-55. There are very many similar coins around so you can buy the MS-53 for $900 if that is the appeal/price balance you want.

In contrast, if you want a DE SARM denarius of Marcus Aurelius (a very historical type) the many factors discussed elsewhere come into play and if you don't have years to wait you may have to settle for a little off-centering or some other detraction because there are not many similar coins around to pick from. You might well prefer a "good VF" to an "aEF" because of factors other than wear (often called "eye appeal"). Fortunately, my enjoyment of a coin is not tracked closely by the exact same factors as everyone else (for example, I dislike off-centering more than most, but don't mind wear as much as most).

I'd bet that a psychology experiment could prove (with eye-movement-tracking) that US collectors presented with a slabbed coin look at and process the MS-number *before* they look at the coin itself. It is almost hard to look at the coin--the grade-number is so prominent and eye-catching. US collectors know the number is more important than the coin, and frequently high-end coins are broken out of slabs and resubmitted to attempt to get a higher grade on the new slab, because the next buyer would buy a new slab's higher grade for a lot more money--even though it is the same coin. Those are perils of a single-scale grading system.

Be glad that your opinion about condition need not agree with some scale dictated by the establishment. You can appreciate what you like without so single "grade" telling you how much you should like the coin.

In general I am in agreement ..... with one small caveat. Photographs can lie !
I have been able to spot more than a few bronzes over the past few years where the 'pics' were obviously lacking. Often as this can greatly effect the bottom line I go out of my way looking for inferior photography. This does not have to be out of focus amateur stuff either. I have sold more than a few early Canadian tokens and large cents on a well 'auction' known venue. Sometimes when I am a bit rushed I don't take the time to do several shots and/or pick the best one. With the lighting 'off' just a bit very often insignificant blemishes can be magnified by shadows. Think of the old flashlight under the chin ..... not the best way to look like a 'smooth' character. Coins are the same.
I recently posted a Caracalla sestertius which had gone for the 'cure' (a bit of BD needed elimination) I posted one of two photos I had. Some adjustments for color and contrast had been made and I actually selected the wrong one for the post. The coin appeared very yellowish instead of the slightly darker brownish/green it really is. The photo was being less than completely honest.
With some practice you can ofetn spot those "Better in Hand !" deals fairly easily.

Please grade. Tetricus I. Portrait looks VF to me but the legend isn't full (like a lot of these)and it has a bit corrosion (like a lot these). Net F? maybe

This is one of my recent "better in hand" purchases.
They generally come with significant wear. Apparently they were made to be used ....... And quite a bit at that.
I grade at high end F

AE As Castulo
2nd century BC
Rv Sphinx walking right





At 33mm over 31 grams and a final price tag of $7.54 I will say one thing

Better in my hand than someone else's !

FR, I really like your coin, I haven't seen many of these with much more details than this one so my best guess for a grade would be Fine.

First I appologise for my poor English, but I need to speak on the 'photo being a grading system'. rubbish. I have posted before as to this and to grade any ancient coin to precise is not possible.
I have collect and sold ancient coinages for 55 years now and have seen so much 'grading' that most is wrong.
if to you wish to grade I have a few rules that are very simple if you wish to read them.
work on a 0 to 5 grade ok.
1. centre of strike = 1 point
2. full strike - full legend - full portrait = 1 point
3. strike type to body thickennes, straight die hammer, hinged die hammer should see reverse type thick than obverse = 1 point
4. tooling, acid clean, salt rencid = - 1 point
5. size as struck = 1 point
6. double strike = 1 point if clear strike - 1 point of cast over strike
7. clarity of emperor message = 1 point.

is not a difficult scale as rare does not matter to scale as is grade only, I am hope helps

While on the subject of Geta portraits ....
This is my favorite from my vault

Geta AE32 Pisidia Antioch (Anatolia)
Rv. Victory walking left with wreath





I give it a low end VF.
I saw a better one once offered by Lanz with beautiful patination.
Seriously concidered the upgrade. After it soared past $300 I quickly changed my mind. I 'stole' this one thirty years ago for $75 from a dealer who was liquidating his inventory. No regrets here.

Actually more accurately a 'Colonial' issue. Pisidian Antioch became a veterans colony in the time of Ausgustus and remained a 'Latin' city with the honorific of a "Caesaria" until the time of Constantine when Latin faded away for good in the east. I assume this coin was intended to be the equivalent of a sestertius being of similar size and weight.

Obv. reads IMP CAES P SEPT GETA AVG
Rv. reads VICT DD NN COL ANTIOCH S-R

I never quite figured out the "S R" abbreviation. Perhaps someone here wise in the ways of east might know. SENATVS (something) I am guessing