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 Replies: 12 / Views: 863 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
Hi everyone, I just spotted this appealing Celtic tetradrachm of Philip II. According to the dealer, it is 13.39g and would probably grade as a VF (although there is the reverse test cut). Moreover, the proper catalog ID is LeRider 47, 23v. Although the weight is a bit light at 13.39g, I do not see any signs of casting from the available images. What do you think?(Unfortunately, the dealer has not provided direct images of the edges). Also, what do you think would be a fair price for such a coin if authentic? Thanks!   |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
It's a nice looking coin, looks fine to me.
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Moderator
United States
34397 Posts |
Could it be tooled, especially around the horse on the rev? The foreparts seem oddly sharply defined.  "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
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3499 Posts |
Spence & echizento - Thanks for your thoughts. I appreciate it! Any guesses what a fair price might be?
echizento - do you have any reservations about the forepart of the horse seeming a bit defined? (and having some scratches around the outline of the horses legs and neck?)
Anyone else have any thoughts on this coin?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
This coin and other ancients previously offered by this seller all look OK. The provenance to Spartan and a named collection is helpful. You might be able to look it up and see what it sold for previously. You might also check CNG's e-auction archives for comparables.
The asking price seems a little high but not ridiculously so.
Edited by Kushanshah
02/13/2021 7:57 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
Kushanshah - Thanks for your help! I appreciate it. Also, what do you think would be about right in terms of price? Would $275-300 be more in the ballpark?
It really seems like prices for tetradrachms have spiked over the past year or so - presumably, due to covid19 causing coin show cancellations and less general traffic at coin shops. I am not alone in noting this, right?
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Due to the tetradrachm weight and the style, my reasoning indicates that it must be an issue of one of the European Celtic tribes that regularly traded with pre Roman Greece, or early contemporary early Roman colonial Greece.
At least, that much of an indication gives some idea of when and where it was struck.
Further research needed to track down which Celtic tribes struck silver coins of tetradrachm weight. A map of (Eastern?) Europe showing which areas the various Celtic tribes occupied would be a good start, and connecting those with pictures of the coins they issued.
Looking at lots of pictures for style and metal surface texture would help with authentication. Initially, coin looks OK to me.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
Have a look at the link below to see what $300 will buy. If it were me, I would probably offer in the $200+ range, hoping for a counter-offer of $250 or so from the seller. However, I will also say that if it were me, and if I were going to own only one Celtic tet, I would hold out for one of the more exotic versions. That said, I don't really like to spend other folks' money. It all depends on what you want and how badly you want it. I will add that on my own ebay listings, I almost always accept offers of 80% and almost always block yahoos who offer less than 50%. In between, I typically counter-offer, depending on what I paid and how badly I want a sale. https://cNGCoins.com/Search.aspx?PA..._TYPE_ID_4=1Edited by Kushanshah
02/13/2021 10:13 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
sel_69l - Thanks! I really appreciate the advice. Kushanshah - you make some really compelling points. Honestly, I kind of liked the fact that this coin is "off model" (to use a term employed by animators), yet it still looks not exceedingly dissimilar to Macedonian pieces. Is it just me or have prices for tetradrachms of all sorts just been spiking on ebay? Is it just due to there being fewer places for collectors and resellers to get a hold of coins (due to covid shutting down shows and shops)? Would you folks suspect that prices will level out after covid gets under control (whenever that may be)? Edited by Archraz
02/14/2021 6:40 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
The tetradrachms of the European Celts collectively are much scarcer than the Greek tetradrachms.
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
I think the reverse might be slightly tooled.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
sel_69l - Thanks for the advice!
echizento - Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it. While, of course, any kind of modern-day alteration is not good, do you think that tooling would drastically alter the value?
(Thanks for your help with all of my questions, everyone. I'm just trying to better understand these fascinating coins as well as their market fluctuations).
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Search Google Images:
'Danubian Celts Tetradrachm'.
You may well find a near picture match
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Replies: 12 / Views: 863 |
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Posted 02/13/2021 6:15 pm
