Steppenfool

So am I, I think I see a hairstyle of her’s. I’m sure @Roman Collectorcan confirm.

I have an inkling that coin retail prices are coming down. For a while there, the vast majority of retail listing had me thinking “I can’t imagine any scenario where that price could be paid by a buyer.” However, the last few days I have noticed that a few sellers are uploading very competitively priced goods in high volumes, to the point I’ve even even tempted to stray outside my collecting area! Perhaps a coincidence, perhaps seller fatigue kicking in simultaneously, or maybe there’s some effects/news affecting dealers us buyers don’t know about yet!

Philip I AR Antoninianus. IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / LAETIT FVNDAT, Laetitia standing left holding wreath and rudder. RIC 36 RSC 80. I'm assuming the object between the rudder and Laetitia is actually just some disconnected drapery?

I disagree with some points on the graph! Domitian was certainly a nerd, owing to his obsession with economic stability, administration and his knowledge of literature! I’d also say he was quite preppy due to being a disciplinarian and also in his desire for conservative morals, to the point he held the post of Censor in perpetuity! I also think that Elagabalus has to be as far over to the Goth side as possible, if that’s supposed to mean “counter-culture”. He did eschew religious, social and gender norms. Although Hadrian has a lot of nerdy interests, he was also obsessed with hunting, military drills and physical fitness! It seems unfair to put him as far down the nerd column. Domitian as Perpetual Censor (CENS P)

For me, the stone of Elagab will always win any list that it appears on. The coin is an amazing piece of historical evidence validating Dio’s ostensibly bizarre claims that Elagabalus tried to subvert the Roman Pantheon with a meteorite. The stone on your example is clear, the eagle can be ascertained and the legends including “ELAGABAL” are clear which would make this a grail coin for me! From a purely aesthetic/stylistic point of view, the Nero wins for me! It really captures his arrogance and pomp.

I am also totally unqualified. I can see why you are concerned. There's a certain element of "pop" to this example on both the portrait and the reverse design which doesn't seem present on the surrounding legends. It seems more likely to me that there has been some very subtle removal of material in the fields around the devices to produce that pop. However, the rough surfaces on the fields might disqualify that, unless a real master has been at work? I am only speculating though, and as I stated, I am not qualified to make any statements, nevermind definitive ones.

https://elfontheshelf.com/blog/elfontheshelf-101/ I imagine it's this. As far as I'm aware, the tradition has extended so that the Elf on the Shelf gets up to mischief in the middle of the night that is found in the morning.

Has anyone ever ran an experiment to test the effect of PVC on coins, Perhaps with some slugs? Has anyone ever seen a surefire case of PVC damage with a control coin for comparison? I suspect the PVC fear is perhaps overblown, but that doesn't stop me avoiding it. 😂

There are enough coins available that it's no great loss to not engage with coins that are altered in any way, including repatination.

This quote from Socrates in Plato's Gorgias sums it up for me. I think it is acceptable to point out fakes in any way one desires and the owner/coveter/seller of the coin can only benefit from it. Of course, there are more palatable and gentle ways to cure someone of the evil of holding incorrect beliefs. Therefore, I understand why some people believe it should be done by Private Message only. However, if I owned a fake, I would not be fussed about the cure's method of delivery and would be happy for someone to share their knowledge publicly for both my own, and every observer's benefit. Hypothetically, what happens if the owner of a fake, upon receipt of a Private Message, decides that they don't want this knowledge to be available to everyone else? Is the knowledgeable sender of said Private Message to throw his hands up in surrender and acquiesce to the demands of the fake coin's owner, to the detriment of everyone viewing the thread? I think not. Therefore, it seems the Private Message is a formality done out of kindness to allow the incorrect party an opportunity to do the noble thing of their own volition, without an adversary, and maintain control over their situation and the way it is communicated. I don't understand why anyone would get precious about it regardless. Making mistakes is a natural part of being human and no-one has completed a day, never mind a life, without error.

My NERVA with a distinctive portrait (a real Roman nose!) and a politically importnt reverse. I've also attached my video which details Nerva's ancestry, political career under Nero and the Flavians, potential involvement in the assasination of Domitian, his reign and its coinage (including my own coin's reverse and many in this thread!), and the circumstances that led to the adoption of Trajan!

A speedy and full recovery to you sir. I'm glad you're feeling healthy enough to make a post!

Hello everyone. A friend of mine has recently been a real lifeline to me in terms of offering advice/counsel and lending a listening ear. What affordable Roman coin would be a good gift to give as a thank you? My initial thoughts were COMES or COMITI or CONSERVATORI types, but nothing came to mind immediately! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Very ugly. Why divide a perfect shape like that?

My interest in Roman history pre-dated my interest in coins by a couple of years, although I appreciate your compliments! My first purchase was a Constantine with a Jupiter (pagan) reverse because I was infatuated with the religious transition of the Empire!