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 Replies: 8 / Views: 3,366 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
616 Posts |
After expanding into Greeks from Roman imperials I've become puzzled by the pricing of owls in auctions. At the recent Heritage and CNG Auctions I watched what I thought were bad examples go for more than better looking coins. Below are pictures of 2 coins. One has an estimate that's 2x the other. Can you guess... 1. Which one has an estimate that's 2x the other (A 2x B or B 2x A)? and 2. What do you think these coins are worth/will sell for? and 3. Why the disparity? What am I missing?  Edited by jskirwin
10/28/2018 2:52 pm
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Valued Member
United States
219 Posts |
I would say coin A is the more expensive piece due to the amount of crest that is visible on the obverse and the fact it appears more well-struck overall as compared to B. However, they are both incredible, problem-free coins and I wouldn't be surprised if they sold for of a couple thousand dollars apiece. Classic Owls that are priced more towards the $300-700 range tend to be either off-struck, have die cracks, test cuts, or some other issue that impairs the aesthetic appeal.
I don't really see the merit of pricing one of these at double the other because they are both relatively similar, but I would definitely give the edge to A.
Edited by Matt2727
10/28/2018 3:52 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I would agree coin A has better detail than coin B and should fetch a higher price.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7947 Posts |
Not to mention the proportion of eyes to body size makes owl B look like something out of a Minions movie (but what do I know? The reverse is better centered, no planchet cracks ...though I have no idea if those things are valued by collectors of this type)
I will just say I'm glad I am not an ancient collector given the price for authentic classics like this, and the minefield of counterfeiting.
Edited by tdziemia
10/28/2018 8:09 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
A tactic to encourage bidding on less-appealing coins when a number of similar lots are offered together. Coins A and B above carry estimates of 1000 and 500 euros respectively. Opening bids are 80% of estimate. The coin below, with the same "Kroll 8; HGC 4, 1597" description as A and B, is estimated at 50 euros.  Edited by Kushanshah
10/28/2018 9:05 pm
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Moderator
United States
34416 Posts |
@jsk, aren't there stylistic variations (e.g. In the sprig on Athena's helmet or the letter A) which help to date these and separate them into different scarcity levels?
Hmm, now after readng @KS' post, maybe I'm wrong about the variations. I'll have to look at this again.
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
Edited by Spence
10/28/2018 8:55 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
616 Posts |
Spence
Beats me. I just started buying Greeks last week. I'm seriously scratching my beard over the prices on the owls.
It reminds me of PCGS/NGC coin grading at the upper end of the scale, where an MS-64 will go for multiples of a MS-63 or some such. I never could afford anything near that end of the market.
I'd figured the cuts and their placement would determine value which seems to hold true for the most part, but coin A - with the 1000 euro estimate, and coin B with 500 just seem kind of whacky to me.
I'm looking for a good bird on an authentic 2,500 year old coin but my wife would kill me if I paid more than a few hundred bucks on a coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Athenian tets baffle me. What might sell for $350 at one auction house will sell for $1500 at another. I've been watching them from the sidelines also, but have yet to bid even close to the winning price on any of mine. If it's all the same to you, you can go for the "poor man's" Athenian tet; lots of local near eastern and Egyptian imitations that stylistically are indistinguishable except to the trained eye. I bid (and lost) on a few of those a few CNG auctions ago. For coins of the same condition, they sold for about half of the price of the real deal. If you think those are bad, just try looking for an archaic style Athens tet! https://www.cNGCoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=349574Edited by Finn235
10/29/2018 01:14 am
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Valued Member
United States
219 Posts |
If you want a less expensive tetradrachm, I would look for one from Thasos. They tend to be quite affordable ($150-300 for a solid coin), and they are hefty and feel good in hand. They're one of my favorite Greeks for sure.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 3,366 |
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Posted 10/28/2018 4:17 pm
