Meander

Quite a number of argentei tend to have a beautiful iredescent toning. Maximianus I. Herculius, 286-305. Argenteus, 294, Augusta Treverorum (Trier). RIC 102b. Photo credit: Busso Peus Nachf.

So why did you even consign with Leu? You are German, I am right? There are several German auction houses that cater for different categories of customers. No exchange rate risk, no customs issues (however improbable). It seems you thought Leu was getting better prices. Or did they give you a lower fee? But, as @ajax has pointed out, the auction house is putting their own coins into their auctions and they may be getting better prices than those of the other consignors. Coincidence? I dont think so.

I understand your disappointment. You would hope that with those pedigrees you would at least break even. On the other hand, you have to consider that someone just paid $7,500 for your coin, which is more than you did initially. Blame the auction fees. I was thinking of bidding on your coin but there were two other aurei in the sale which were pedigreed and much scarcer so I went for them. Better luck next time.

Its useless to judge based on one coin anyway. It is much better not to sell piecemeal but all at once to get the best conditions. Still, in my experience some coins sell well, some break even and some are disaster 😄

Its a nice coin but not rare and with the problems mentioned one cannot expect miracles. I feel for an aureus of a common emperor to sell well it has to have both a good pedigree and an interesting reverse. Pedigree is less important than with the Greek coins as the regulations are (so far) relatively relaxed.

Well, you failed to mention that the coin was once a part of Mazzini collection. Some people value such a pedigree quite enough.

I love Commodus' portraits and especially on bronzes. I chased this coin when it appeared for the first time in NAC auction in 2014 and was a disappointed underbidder. When it appeared again in 2021 I was able to get it and for a much lower price. Never lose hope! Commodus augustus, 177 – 192. Sestertius 183-184, Æ 25.76 g. M COMMODVS AN – TONINVS AVG PIVS Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. P M TR P VIIII IMP VI COS IIII P P Pax seated l. holding branch and cornucopiae; in exergue, S C. C 453. BMC 531. RIC 405.

My specimen, which I consider one of my best coins. The wrestlers' pose is once again nothing out of ordinary but they are beautifully modeled and the coin has a very nice toning. Aspendos. Silver stater, ca. 380/75-330/25 BC. Obv. Two wrestlers beginning to grapple with each other; between them, ΚF. Rev. ΕΣΤFΕΔΙΙΣ. Slinger striding right, preparing to launch sling-bolt; to right, triskeles to right. BMC 44; SNG v. Aulock 4544 var.; SNG Cop 217; SNG France 102.

Great examples everyone. I never got to obtain a full stater but managed to get a nice drachm. And it is from the BCD collection which is a plus. Drachm (Silver, 5.97 g 2), c. 431-400. Chimaera moving to left, without ground line, right paw raised; below, . Rev. Dove flying left with wings open above and below; all within olive wreath tied on the right and with the branch ends entwined on the left. Pozzi 1791. Traité 762, pl. CCXIX, 30. Weber 3908. From the BCD collection (LHS Numismatik 96, 2006, lot 204).

Good luck with that! The estimates mean nothing. All coins have hidden reserves, sometimes stratospheric ones.

One of my favourites: Gela, AR Tetradrachm circa 480-470. Slow quadriga driven r. by charioteer; above, Nike flying r. to crown horses. Rev. Forepart of man-headed bull r. Jenkins 106 from the Comtesse de Béhague Collection, Vinchon 14.4.1984, lot 28, and Jacob Hirsch VII, 2.6.1902, lot 91

Can’t you challenge the setting of the VAT by customs? I do it all the time here in Belgium.

I find the portraits on Philip II gold coinage really attractive. KINGS OF MACEDON. Philip II, 359-336 BC. AV Stater, Pella, struck under Philip II or Alexander III, circa 340-328. Laureate head of Apollo to right. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠOY Charioteer driving biga to right, holding reins in his left hand and goad in his right; below horses, trident right.

This text from Harlan Berk may serve as a basic guide to collecting Greek gold and electrum although it is hard to read due to formatting https://www.hjbltd.com/#!/article/242-your-first-25-greek-gold-and-electrum-coins-prices-have-chan