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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,009 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I know little about ancient coins, but this caught my eye. Do you think it's a good coin/grade for $45?  |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Very nice coin. Constantine the Great 307-337 AD. CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG, Reverse: GLORIA EXERCITVS. TR.P
(Trier mint). IMO $45 is a good price.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
10045 Posts |
Thanks for the help!  Someday, I'll learn how to read these inscriptions. It would be nice to have a Roman coin in a better state of preservation.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
Price on this sort of coin (all coins?) depends on condition. This coin is far above average but not perfect. The reverse right is slightly flatly struck. There is a closed flan crack. Neither is a big deal but the coin would be better without them. What the coin does have to offer are good smooth surfaces and fully readable legends including a bold mintmark from a mint that is not the most commonly seen. Prices depend on where you live and where you buy coins. A full service dealer who guarantees what he sells and might ask $45 for this coin while a similar one in the stock of a small dealer at a coin show might be $15. Someone who sees mostly corroded and hard to read coins will see this as a wonderful item but someone who is a real condition snob would leave it in full knowledge that there are better ones available. My collection includes a matching coin with no crack, not as nice surfaces but still full legends which cost $10 in 1990. This is what I would call a reasonable coin for a reasonable 2011 price; not a great bargain - not a spectacular beauty - a nice coin I would be happy to own.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
IMO that is too much to pay for this coin. Doug has pointed out the couple of problems with the coin for grading purposes. I have seen coins in this condition from this mint selling on ebay in the $20 price range. As a comparison, this coin of mine for which I traded another coin, was selling at a reputable dealer for $50. You make the comparison: JW  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Thanks for all your input! I see what you're saying about condition--that is everything, after all. Perhaps I can pick your brains as to who are good sellers of ancients on ebay sometime? I spent a couple hours looking at dealer stock on VCoins, and this one got my attention. If I change my mind, I can always return it. JW--nice coin you posted! If I could find one like that for $50, I'd buy it. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Actually, the dealer who traded me this coin lists on Vcoins and one of the owners is an acquaintance of mine. If you would like to know some of the better sellers on ebay, I will be glad to provide you with the names, but I think we should probably do that in a personal message (PM). I am too fond of this forum to break any rules, and I'm just not familiar with the rules of identifying sellers in the open forum. Best to leave that for PM. If you would like a list, send me a message and I'll respond as soon as I can. Regards, JW P.S. Condition matters, but its not everything. Your coin is very nice and I would love to have it in my collection. More importantly than condition is your desire to own a particular piece. If you need one like I need a Caligula Denarius, condition is secondary. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
One other note: When I started collecting ancients, I set out to collect at least one of every emperor regardless of condition of the coin. I've not quite achieved that goal (I'm minus just over a dozen of the accepted emperors), but many of the coins are not in the best of condition. Now, I am trying to trade up as I find coins in better condition, but there is no hurry as I have acceptable coins. As a side note, when I have the time, I plan to start a gallery of my coins on this forum. I just have to find the time.
JW
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Quote:
If you need one like I need a Caligula Denarius, condition is secondary.  Yes, I reckon those coins are a bit scarcer. Thanks for all your help! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
The coin arrived today, and it looks better in-hand than the seller's pics--I'm happy with it.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
That's a beautiful coin, Very nice detail. Even with the small flan crack, and the light strike on the right reverse, I think you got a good deal. BTW, your image of the coin is much better than the original you posted.
JW
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Thanks--it's nice when a hunch pays off! |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,009 |
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Posted 09/23/2011 01:47 am
