KenDorney

A couple years back I was browsing Youtube and came across these 'unpacking' videos, which are basically as they sound.  I dont know why I started watching them that day, but it gave me the idea to do one of my own.  I thought I had lost the video, but I posted it on Facebook a while back and was able to download it.  I dont quite remember, but I'm sure they were from a Leu auction no longer than two years ago.  It was an interesting group, with only one fake in the batch.  

Group lots in auctions are very fun, but risky.  In this case it was financially unsound as I ended up paying above retail for them (about double!).  

3 minutes ago, Kaleun96 said:

If one had the time and resources, I'm sure some more sense could be made of it all than what is currently known. As far as I know, no one has focussed specifically on the footstools either.

That's beyond the scope of my interest to be honest.  I just think its interesting to note.  As to why they appear and disappear, I would make a complete guess that perhaps they were used by royalty but fell out of favor?  Things were certainly in a general flux culturally by the time Alexander died, and this change could have easily been made on the coinage.

52 minutes ago, Dwarf said:

Trying to be of help.

This is a big help!  Many thanks!  I saw the Savoca result, but did not see that it was sold once before.  

7 hours ago, Kaleun96 said:

Don't mean to hijack the thread, I just find this type in particular quite interesting!

No problem.  It's interesting to see what others are focused on with different aspects of coins.  What I find of interest is that there are two main types for Alexander tets.  Those where Zeus' feet reach the ground and those where he is using a footstool. Its also interesting to note nobody ever makes mention of the difference (though I am sure it has been addressed in some publications.  Its been years since I read Price).  On this type from Pella, it would seem like they intended to place a footstool but simply forgot.  The result is that Zeus seems like a very short dude, where he is too small for the throne and his feet just dont make it to the ground.  Here is the reverse side of mine.

Cool.  I was going to ask when this was available.  I'll go donate now!

13 hours ago, CPK said:

Thanks!
My favorites are the Trajan sestertius and that Alexander III tetradrachm.

12 hours ago, Roman Collector said:

Man, @KenDorney, that Diva Julia Titi sestertius with the carpentum is SWEET!!

The hole attempt on the Trajan does not bother me one bit.  Its a great type and I have no problems with worn coins, but its clear, clean and has a nice patina!  The Alexander, I liked that one for the portrait style and the goat head.  I dont normally collect silver or Greek particularly, but my collecting focus is, well, actually not focused at all.  I collect whatever seems to be interesting to me.  Finally, the carpentum type coins are really dramatic and a bit sad, really.  I also have one of Agrippina Sr.:

14 hours ago, Furryfrog02 said:

Beautiful!
I see Nike on that Pupienus. If you ever get tired of him, feel free to send him my way 😜

I'm only in my 50's, so I have a little time left with him.  I figure I will sell out when I hit retirement!

30 minutes ago, Furryfrog02 said:

Great stuff @KenDorney! Can we see the flip sides?

Here ya go.

4 minutes ago, DonnaML said:

I'd like to see what Balbinus looks like, then!

Also too much pie!!!

Just now, Ryro said:

Chunky monkeys!

Is the massive one Macrinus? ( it looks like he's about to eat pie🤪

Pupienus, actually.  And he looks like he's had too much pie already!

I don't seem to have much time on my hands these days, but I had like an hour today to myself, which I spent ogling my newer coins.  I picked a few I found pleasing to show off:

I picked this one up recently fro my collection.  I love bronzes, and while I try to keep to sestertius size this one was too attractive to pass on.  Plus I was not even aware of the city (which I suppose is not unusual with provincials).  Much nicer and greener in hand than my bad photo shows (I'm still trying to learn my new camera setup).  Auction photo below that which includes a dust booger free of charge!

Lucius Verus, 161 - 169 AD

AE25, Galatia, Pessinus Mint, 11.19 grams

Obverse:  A K Λ OY CEBACTOC, Bare head of Lucius left.

Reverse:  ΠECCINOYNTIΩΝ, Hermes standing left holding purse and caduceus.

RPC Online 5734  //  BMC 15  //  SNG von Aulock 6222

ex Musa Numismatic Art

ex Naumann 101, Lot 444

I've had this Mazaios stater for some time and I cant seem to find a reference for it.  Before I catalog it as 'unpublished' I wanted to see if anyone knows of a reference for it.  The unusual part is the small facing lion head on the obverse in left field.  After sorting through thousands of auction lots and catalogs I only found one other example sold (I think this year), but it was so heavily worn I couldn't tell if it was a die link or not.

As a dealer I have stuff arriving all the time.  But, I often lose track (and I am sure I have had losses I am unaware of).  Its always fun though, to get a package months late when you had forgotten about it!  Works both ways sometimes.  On occasion something arrives and I shake my head and wonder, "Why would I have possibly bid on these?"

On 5/31/2022 at 9:26 AM, Ed Snible said:

@Mat, I have had several coins from eBay Lanz appear to get lost in customs according to USPS tracking.  However, in those cases the USPS sent the coins back to Lanz!  Lanz then sent them again.

No clue why this would be.  My guess is that someone fumbled the hand-written address and decided it was undeliverable, so after clearing customs it went back to Germany.

Here is a Lanz coin that disappeared completely

It's an extremely rare bronze of Iconium, gorgoneion/Nike.

At least Lanz puts their return address on the envelopes.  Some "dealers" and "auction houses" do not.  Here is a nice coin from an auction house that does not put any return address on their shipments:

 

This is a very scarce large (AE35) bronze of Tarsos.  It never arrived.  This dealer, who still sells via Biddr, stopped responding to my emails when I started asking him about next steps for this lost coin.

A coin from a different auction, same house, arrived in an envelope with no return address.

I no longer bid with him.  Not because I wasn't refunded for a coin whose tracking shows it vanished.  It happens.  I won't deal with anyone who doesn't put their return address on the envelopes.  It feels shady.

You should contact Biddr.  They will intervene for you.  I had a similar issue, the dealer refused to refund when their terms clearly stated they were insured.  They then offered $50 refund on the package (a few hundred value, I think).  I contacted Simon at Biddr and he took care of it.  I got the refund a few days later.

1 hour ago, Finn235 said:

Here's a horrifying one:

https://auctions.sovr.co.uk/index.php?option=com_timed_auction&view=lot_detail&low_estimate=0&high_estimate=25000&keyword=&exclude_keyword=&sort_by=lot_number&image_filter=0&box_filter=0&paper_filter=0&export_issue=0&arr=0&auction_id=15&list_type=list_view&lots_per_page=18&page_no=1&lot_id=724034&search_type=&year=&month=&department_id=&cat_id=

Found at the beach in the 1800s, the finder didn't like the black coloration of the coins, so they plated them all in silver and punched holes in them, turning them into a necklace. In the lot was an EID MAR denarius...

I saw this necklace in person a few weeks ago.  Harlan Berk now has it.  I didnt ask the price though!

Before anyone states the obvious, let me explain.  I understand that my asking in one media which they prefer is kind of silly.  I am preaching to the choir or here, and I get that.  But some media crosses over and often members use various types of media to discuss their hobby.

So, I thought it might be interesting to see what others use and why.  I'll simply list below the media I am most aware of and my comments, and would love to hear your comments.

Numisforums, well, I have high hopes for this and think it quite possibly will be the premier place for discussing ancient coins. We shall see!

Cointalk.  As one who was banned (with no warning or explanation), its really not a user friendly place.  One moderator once said it was a 'dictatorship' and if you didnt like it 'leave'.  Yea.  Well, many have and now they are being replaced.  

Reddit.  I kind of like Reddit, but not for coins.  Its really superficial, is quite swamped with 'is this real' posts.  Not a place to really discuss coins.

Twitter.  Yea, I just dont get this.  And I never will.  Its not that I am too old, its just dumb.  Supremely superficial.

I guess what I dont get is the abbreviated communication that seems to have become the norm.  I mean, one tweets or whatever a few words with no context and...???  I dont get it.  I like the long format, where people can truly communicate.

So...what other places do members use and why?

I bought this Antoninus Pius as it intrigued me.  RPC mentions that some issues from Hierapolis of Pius have the features of Hadrian, so I thought it was kind of interesting.  But looking through RPC Online I could not find a link, so I assume its unpublished and wanted to ask and see if there was something out there.  When I catalog my collection I really like to place published references, so I cant do that until I get a consensus.  I'm simply typing in the legend as I see it, not as it should be as this example doesn't seem to follow normal syntax.

Antoninus Pius

Cyrrhestica, Hierapolis Mint

23mm, 10.20 grams

Obverse:  ---A (or Λ) TI A (or Λ) IΛ -- P C (or E) IANTWNEIN, Laureate bust of Pius right with slight drapery on far shoulder.

Reverse:  ΘΕΑCCYPI ACIEPOΠΟ Α in three lines within wreath.

I'm sure I have mixed some of the legend up, as often when one looks too closely they simply dont see what is right there, but as far as I can see its as yet unpublished, but I want to get opinions before I submit to RPC.

I've been using Abafil for about 30 years.  Been meaning to get some of the new colors though.