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 Replies: 18 / Views: 7,998 |
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Valued Member
Canada
266 Posts |
I bought this one because I wanted to get a really big coin and one I tried to get on ebay ended up going for too much so I decided to get a cheap one, this one was only $14.99 -- only about 34 cents per gram PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM , COUNTERMARKED , 37 MM, 43.45 GM  I also bought this coin because I liked that it was a fairly big coin of the roman guy stabbing the guy who fell off his horse and I don't have one of those yet. CONSTANTIUS II CENTENIONALIS - ANTIOCH MINT 24MM , 5.62GM  and probably the best coin or at least the most expensive coin I have bought so far, at $45.99 I like that it is in pretty good condition + the guy I bought it from paid more for it than I did about two months ago. Seleucid Kingdom - Alexander I Balas (152-145 BC). AR Drachm (17mm, 4.16g, 12h). Uncertain mint. Diademed head right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΛEΞAN- "POY ΘEOΠATOPOΣ EYEP- "ETOY, Apollo Delphios sitting on an omphalos with arrow and bow.  Edited by arnoldoe
12/01/2014 5:34 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
The color of the silver drachm suggests to me that it was probably cleaned with a weak or dilute acid after recovery from burial. Ancient silver coins are often treated this way by museum professionals before the sale of excess hoard material.
Although the obverse is off centre, it is in reasonably nice condition.
Why did the seller move it on for less than he bought it for.? Is he a dealer?
What did you pay for it?
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Valued Member
 Canada
266 Posts |
Edited by arnoldoe
12/01/2014 4:42 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Wow!, excellent coins for the price. I wish I was that lucky the find something like this. The counter mark Ptolemy is very interesting. Any idea what the count mark is?
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Valued Member
Canada
266 Posts |
I tried googling it and It seems to be a cornucopia counter mark
probably of Ptolemy V - VIII, not too sure which though
Edited by arnoldoe
12/01/2014 4:59 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I found a drachm of Alexander 1 Balas on VCOINS in this condition, dark patina, centred obverse strike.
Price: 995 Euros.
Edited by sel_69l
12/01/2014 5:02 pm
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Pillar of the Community
3772 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
The counter mark looks like some type of animal, perhaps a lion.
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Valued Member
Canada
266 Posts |
seems similar to this one thanks I looked at the site and found this one  38mm - 45.6gm Sv1149 S/SE Series Ptolemy IV looks pretty much the same? |
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Pillar of the Community
1121 Posts |
Quote:
Why did the seller move it on for less than he bought it for.? Is he a dealer? Dealers often put coins up to auction to see what the market will bear. With them it is a numbers game and what they lose out on with a few items they make up on with many. Some sellers pay too much and want to get out of something. I wouldn't worry, but if you are, I'd be happy to pay you what you paid for it?  Edited by Topcat7
12/01/2014 5:54 pm
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Valued Member
Canada
266 Posts |
Yeah, the guy I bought it from probably just thought he could easily sell it for more since Savoca Coins sold 5 similar Alexander Balas drachms and each one went for around $120-180 ea, but since the head was off center on this one he was able to get it for a lot less.
I'm not too worried, I just hope it arrives
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Pillar of the Community
United States
711 Posts |
The guy he bought it off of did have a bunch of negative feedback, including fakes.
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Valued Member
Canada
266 Posts |
well, he does have over 12,000 sales in the past year, so some may have been fakes.
Edited by arnoldoe
12/02/2014 12:10 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I would like to know the various places where the dealer gets his coins from, so that provenance can be proven.
It is my normal habit to prove the provenance with high priced ancient coins, if I can. Ask him where your drachm came from, hopefully with verified supporting evidence. He should be more than happy to provide this.
I have to admit this coin looks OK, from the pictures provided, but even the best dealers are fooled, although very rarely. His coins have a very consistent quality about them.
Edited by sel_69l
12/02/2014 12:28 am
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Valued Member
Canada
266 Posts |
Quote:
I found a drachm of Alexander 1 Balas on VCOINS in this condition, dark patina, centred obverse strike.
Price: 995 Euros. on CNG coins I looked at some of the past auctions and most Alexander Balas drachms went for around 90-150 ea the most expensive on went for $425 (below)  and the cheapest one for $65(below)  and the current ones up for auction have a estimate of 500 with a minimum bid of 300 and no bidders Edited by arnoldoe
12/02/2014 11:58 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4964 Posts |
nice new coins arnoldoe, the apollo reverse on that seleucid is awesome, and that the countermarked ptolemy is cool also. a countermarked large ptolemy coin is on my to get list.
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Replies: 18 / Views: 7,998 |
Posted 12/01/2014 4:34 pm
