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 Replies: 8 / Views: 857 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1791 Posts |
I came across this coin and right now the bid seems like a good deal for it but I'd like the have a ballpark value for it. Now the coin: It's listed as an Alexander III minted 336-323 BC. Guaranteed authentic by the seller. In my own research of the listed coin, I believe the coin to be a posthumous coin minted 315-294 (Price #470). Weight is a bit light at 15.8 grams.    |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2217 Posts |
1. Part of Herakles nose off the flan
2. Reverse left symbols mostly off the flan
3. Part of Zeus' chest/stomach is missing
4. Blue toning could be genuine or artificial due to chemical over cleaning. Ancient silver coins usually do not have blue toning.
The above issues would be reasons not to buy this coin. In my opinion you'd be better off waiting, saving your money for a better example.
There are a lot of Alexander tetradrachms from numerous mints and many different symbols, mostly posthumous issues.
The value of these depends a lot on condition, some on rarity. For retail prices you could check Vcoins.com and sold prices of recent auctions like on CNG Coins or sixbid.
Edited by livingwater
09/26/2024 11:09 am
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1791 Posts |
Thank you for the information livingwater. It is quite helpful. As far as the chest missing, it is similar to the one I found on Wildwinds. https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/gre...r_III/i.html (you have to scroll down a bit until you reach Price 470) Kingdom of Macedon, Alexander III AR Tetradrachm. Amphipolis mint, 315-294 BC. Head of Herakles right, in lionskin headdress / AΛEΞANΔΡOY, Zeus seated left, holding eagle and sceptre; Λ over torch in left field, MH monogram beneath chair. |
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Valued Member
United States
130 Posts |
Not an expert on these, but since the experts are not responding with a price, and a time may be of the essence to the posting member, because it is in the auction, I will throw a ballpark price of $250 for this. Experts- please correct me if I am wrong. Thanks.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1791 Posts |
Thank you. That might be in the ball park. From what I saw on VCoins for similar coins, the decrease in value from potentially being cleaned would probably put it about there, maybe slightly less.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2217 Posts |
Sorry I can't help with value. I haven't bought any ancient coins for a while. To clarify most ancient coins are cleaned because they are found in the ground encrusted, dirt, etc. But they should be properly cleaned without damaging them or striping off the patina down to bare metal.
Interesting you found another example with the same missing part of chest/stomach, likely a damaged die. But your example has rough surfaces and questionable color, may or may not be genuine.
Many of us can't afford the highest grade coins. Nothing wrong with buying less expensive worn examples. Just need to be careful about fakes, altered coins and pay a fair price for a lower grade.
Edited by livingwater
09/26/2024 9:14 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Portugal
655 Posts |
That patina can not be old. I would be suspicions of what it may be distracting.
The workmanship is crude but there are many Alexander tetras mints and styles. You should identify mind and compare photos before buying anything.
Seller says Price 470? Look at the photos in wildwinds. My impression is bad. Many things wrong.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1791 Posts |
@ jecz79: No the seller didn't say Price 470. That is the coin I matched it to myself. They did say it's guaranteed to be authentic but then they said it was minted 336-323 BC (lifetime coin) which it is definitely not. I believe they checked silver content of the coin though and state it is 94% pure silver or better.
I looked into the seller a little more and I find their name a little deceiving. It is Heritage Auctions LLC yet not a part of the big Heritage Auction house. Rather they are a small company that holds auctions under the umbrella of another auction house that I've seen more than a few issues of accuracy/authenticity.
I think with the input I've had here, that I need to pass this coin up and maybe look for something from a more trusted source at some point. I've always wanted a coin from a famous ruler: Julius Caesar, Octavian/Augustus, Nero, Alexander, Cleopatra VII, etc.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1791 Posts |
By the way, my profile picture is of a Probus coin that the reverse was completely destroyed from verdigris/bronze disease. The front was near perfect though so I decided to use electrolysis on it and let people see what it looked like when it was minted.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 857 |
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Posted 09/26/2024 11:30 am
