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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,478 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
842 Posts |
I never ever buy coins that I have hardly any information on, but last week I took a gamble on this one. The seller had not attributed the coin and the only picture of it was a fuzzy, out of focus image of the obverse. I had no idea where this coin was minted, which would have made the final price a whole other story if I had known what the mint actually was. Here is the image I had to work with:  All the above threw up red flags, but I really liked the patina that I could see. The sellers description was honest enough for me to explain the photo situation, so I decided to bid since no one else had yet. I figured if I won and it wasn't what I thought, it wouldn't be that big a deal since it was cheap. I won the auction at $9.50 total and when I opened up the package the day it arrived I saw this:  Maximinus II AE Follis. 310-312 AD. Obv: IMP MAXIMINVS PF AVG, laureate & cuirassed bust right Rev: GENIO-POP ROM, Genio standing left, tower on head, loins draped, holding patera & cornucopiae; star in right field Mintmark PLN London RIC 209b  The gamble paid off! I was shocked when I saw it. I honestly wasn't too confident I made a good decision at first. I'm not sure if there have been any discussions recently about gambles paying off, but let's here some stories! |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
That paid off for you. Nice coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1045 Posts |
I did the same thing a while back. Sellers pics were extremely blurry and I took a chance on the coin below. Most Delmatius examples in decent condition sell for $100 plus. Anyways, it looked to me like this one had nice details and possibly even the alternate "DALMATIUS" spelling. I sniped it for $26. Bingo, it was a beauty when it arrived AND it did indeed have the alternate spelling!! My pictures aren't that good either but here it is: (I have since sold it)  Delmatius - Thessalonica - AE3 - RIC VII 227 O: FL DALMATIVS NOB C, laureate, draped & cuirassed bust right R: GLORI-A EXER-CITVS, two soldiers, each holding reversed spear & resting on shield, standing on either side of standard, SMTSε in exergue 1.4g, 17.6mm, 180 degree die axis, 335-337AD Edited by Biancasdad
02/03/2014 2:59 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Netherlands
1204 Posts |
nice coin, good choice taking the risk!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4981 Posts |
that's a chance worth taking at that price, you can tell that there are some nice detials there...even on bad pic. nice pick up...you also BD.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
946 Posts |
A Maximinus II AE Follis of London is a great find!  I was surprised when I bought one of his from the Trier mint, thinking that this Emperor only ruled in the east, so why did he get issued from western mints. But this seems to have been the way during the Tetrarchy and afterwards, to show unity I guess, shame it didn't work out in reality as shown by the civil wars.  Below is that one I had from Trier, RIC VI Trier 845a   |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
I have a couple of these with complimentary hoard encrustation from a lot I took a 'gamble' on (well, I could see a Commonwealth groat in there, so it wasnt really a gamble for less than £20). The other coins also came up trumps there (a Wendover Halfpeney[sic] in there too). I've decided not to clean mine as I like the clear provenance between the two (one is SOLI INVICTO, the other GENIO POP). It reminds me that I really need to get them recorded. <fun fact: the Valentinian in this picture (Which I am too lazy to crop) and the Wendover halfpenny paid off the lot>   Always nice when a gamble pays out - especially with a London Follis. Taking risks and gambling is the name of my game but I rarely get nice things like that. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
I think I found a Johannes in this lot of Byzantine coins I purchased: (upper right-hand area, the small brown coin)  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
842 Posts |
It sure does look like him! Congrats that's an amazing find. I hope to get an example of him some day. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Funny thing is that I already have an example of him, so whichever of the two appeals more to me I'll keep and I'll most likely sell the other one.
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,478 |
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Posted 02/03/2014 2:58 pm
