ewomack

Leo VI, "The Wise" or "The Philosopher" (due to his scholarly work, which some claim distracted him from ruling the empire), sits on an ornate and even somewhat strangely designed throne. The details on this specimen could look sharper and stronger in places, but most of the features appear fairly clearly, down to his tiny wire feet. This might rank as the roundest and most overall well-centered Byzantine coin that I've yet acquired. The patina looks slightly more malachite green in hand than in the photo. Sadly, this is the coin that I started the import duty thread on earlier, so I paid an extra and unexpected $50.00 for it after submitting the order. The base price wasn't too bad, but the duty turned it into what feels like an overpay. C'est la vie. I still like it, but I will probably forever feel a lingering tinge of extortion when looking at this coin in the future. 😄 Leo VI (AD 886-912); Constantinople; Æ Follis; Obv: +LEOn bAS - ILEVS ROM'* Leo enthroned facing, wearing crown and loros, and holding labarum and akakia; Rev: Inscription in four lines: +LEOn / Eh ΘEO bA / SILEVS R / OmEOh; 6.90g, 28.00 mm; Sear 1728

I simply can't comprehend that price for such an item. If the bidder(s) intended it just as an interesting way to donate to the program, I can get that. But I suspect not. Does anyone know if this has ever gone up for auction before? Sometimes I think that the hobby, or parts of it, have gone mad.

All of my coin purchases, since at least 2015, sit in a spreadsheet. It includes columns for "Date Purchased," "Description," "Cost," "Bought From," "Shipping Cost," "Exchange Rate," "Notes," and the date the coin arrived in my paws. Everything gets converted to US $ and the the cost in original currency (for both the coin and shipping) get placed in the "Notes" column. Any banking fees for converting currency have not made it to the sheet. I should fix that, because that represents another cost of collecting these little discs. I should also start including a specific column for taxes. For the last coin I purchased, which has not yet arrived, I also need to add significant costs for "import duties." Shipping costs definitely add up. I record and keep those costs as well to see if, when selling, whether I actually recoup everything. The coin's base cost alone doesn't reflect the total expense of the purchase. If I get slapped with more of those surprise import duties, I will have no chance of breaking even on these purchases overall. So far, when selling, some coins I come out ahead on, but most I come out behind on, so I've seen nothing but net losses. I've had pretty sobering selling experiences. I've had far more luck with other collectibles, including making a small fortune on my childhood Star Wars toys, some limited edition cartoon statues, and sports cards. As for the spreadsheet, I've only hit the "sum total" on the "cost" column once and I was pretty shocked at what came out of there. It was a sum that I never thought that I would, or could, ever spend on this hobby. It sobered up my buying enthusiasm, for sure. I've since become far more picky. As for the worth of everything? I have no idea. Values fluctuate, along with the time value of money. No single source really gives a good idea of the value of an item. I think I'll only know my collection's worth when I eventually offer it up for sale. Ultimately, something is only worth what someone will actually pay for it. That would also only represent the worth at the time of sale. The worth will keep changing, fluttering all around, until someone buys/sells again.

I enjoyed the modern internet much more after I decided to ignore numbers. Likes, reads, posts, rankings, etc., are all subject to the usual various interpretations, situations, and circumstances as just about everything else. They are interesting, I'll admit, but they're nothing to take too seriously.

There is nothing wrong with taking a break from buying. If you find yourself buying just to buy something, then it's really time to slow down and do some thinking about why you're collecting. I ordered a coin a week or two ago and, now that I look at the picture again, I think it's only "okay." I think I rushed into it. I consoled myself that I didn't pay that much for it, but then I was smacked with a $50.00 import duty on it. Though I vacillated, I ended up paying it, but now I feel like I overpaid for a coin that I only consider "okay." I hate those purchases and I would rather buy nothing than make even a single one more of them. I really try to save up for when a coin really strikes me, so I'm now trying to buy fewer higher quality coins. After that last experience I really think that now I need an extended break. I do have other things to do, after all (and a few other projects remain unfinished). Have a breather. Take a break. Read a book. Do some research.

To me, this is the line where auctions cross over into the gambling world. It's nothing that interests me. True, it's fun, interesting, and will likely give the auction more publicity and perhaps even raise the total number of bidders (which could hedge any losses against underbidding for the "Surprise Lot" if it does turn out to have decent value). But it just gives me a feeling of unnecessary gimmickry that permeates a game show and lottery-type feeling. I understand why others might feel the inexorable pull of such a device, so I also get it. But, in the end, it's likely having the desired effect: we're all posting about it here and I would have heard nothing about the auction had this thread not existed. So, gimmicks work. I guess one can't blame businesses for doing whatever they can to attract buyers. But, to me, it feels a little cheap. But that's just me. As to the lot's contents? I'll guess a Proof Type I 1979-S SBA Dollar. Just joking. I'll really guess a Nero sesteritus of above average condition.

I have tickets to see Oppenheimer tomorrow. From what I hear, it likely lives up to the hype. I have a now deceased relative who was part of the Manhattan project, but he never spoke about it until just before his death. Most of what I know about it comes from the remaining family, who found his papers and materials. He's also listed on the Manhattan Project website. He was stationed on Tinian Island and he was very likely there when the Enola Gay took off for Hiroshima. Those are some stark, disturbing, and important photographs @kirispupis. Though it sounds a little bit strange saying so, thank you for sharing them.

My only Nero - a Hemidrachm from Cappadocia - some have said that the portrait more resembles Claudius, so it may have been a transitional coin. Nero AR Hemidrachm of Caesaria, Cappadocia. c54-63 AD. NERO CLAVD DIVI CLAVD F CAESAR AVG GERMANI, laureate head right / Victory seated right on globe, writing on shield, SGI 616, RPC 3645. RIC 617. Sydenham 82.

The Sear book has the following to say about this particular Leo VI type "This appears to have been issued in greater quantities than almost any other individual type in the Byzantine series." Leo VI (AD 886-912); Constantinople; Æ Follis; Obv: +LEOn bAS - ILEVS ROM' Bust facing wearing crown and chlamys, holding akakia in l. hand; Rev: Inscription in four lines: +LEOn / Eh ΘEO bA / SILEVS R / OmEOh; 7.67g.; Berk 918, Sear 1729 So get yours now!

I think that I'm very glad that I didn't even know it was going on. There were some nice things on there that I may have grossly overbid for. 😁

The dealer did get back to me, apologized profusely, and offered to split the duty with me. I just went ahead and paid it, but wow what an expensive coin that turned out to be (I hope I really like it). It really makes me wonder if I should order from overseas again. What a rotten surprise in every way. I know it's not the dealer's fault, but still what a horrid pain. You think you're paying so much for a coin and then you receive another bill. Wow. I'm still a little stunned.

Nine types of collectors? Wow. Sometimes it's easier to say what one is not. #1 "The Classic Hunter" - Not me at all. I have never really cared about completeness. Besides, it's too expensive. Even a complete set of SBA dollars can put a person back a few hundred dollars. #2 "The Speculator" - My experience has taught me that I will likely not make money from the vast majority of the coins that I purchase, so I have given up even trying. Not to mention that I don't want to spend excessive amounts of money on "investment grade coins." So, I'm hopeless on that one. #3 "The Aesthete" - I certainly fit into this one. I like pretty coins. But I also really like very unusual looking ones. I look for coins that I will likely still enjoy looking at years into the future. #4 "The Perfectionist" - Again, it's usually far too expensive. But I suppose it depends on what one means by "perfect specimen." #5 "The Rubbish Chute" - I've always considered this kind of collecting hoarding. I did it for a while and it just depressed me. Especially when I unknowingly started purchasing coins that I already had. #6 "The Self-Exposer" - Monument? Eternity? I can only assume that this category is satire. #7 "The Researcher" - I would like to be more of this kind of collector, but I only have so much time for coins right now. Perhaps later in life? #8 "The Local Patriot" - I refer to my answer for #1. #9 "The Historian" - I identify more with this type than any other. After I stopped hoarding (or embodying #5), I starting purchasing with more discretion. This led to my buying older coins and more interesting coins that held my attention longer than 20 minutes. A total resurgence of collecting ensued. I couldn't believe that I could actually hold a coin created during the reign of Elizabeth I. Or during Nero's time. Or even much earlier. Sometimes, I still can't believe it. This aspect of owning very old coins still fascinates and beguiles me every time I break open another ancient coin. This has also led to my now almost exclusive focus of buying ancients. Moderns have mostly lost their luster for me at this point.

On MA-Shops, the dealer shows a location in Austria. As I said before, I've had other coins shipped from Europe with DHL (I think Germany and France) and this did not happen. I just looked at the order again and I see the shipping was a whopping $32.57. So, add in the $46.66 duty and the total I would pay for shipping/duties is $79.23. The price of the coin was $110.07. Wow. I'm actually surprised that I accepted that amount of postage. I must have ordered in a weak moment. I have never paid anywhere near that for postage on my MA-Shops history, but times may have changed as well. Still no response from the dealer. I sent a follow-up message reiterating that I'm not going to pay the duty. I guess I'll see what happens. At least it wasn't a $2k coin.

I received my final DHL warning email today. I still have heard nothing from the vendor. So... I guess the coin will get sent back. I have no idea what will happen next.

Theophilus (829 - 842) - He kept iconoclasm going, but it would soon end under Michel III. Theophilus (AD 829-842) Æ Follis; Constantinople mint; AD 830-842; Obv: ΘEOFIL bASIL; Half-length figure standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger; Rev: ΘEO / FILE AVG / OVSTE SV / hICAS in four lines; 28mm; 8.26 grams; Sear 1667 Theophilus (AD 829-842) Æ Follis; Constantinople mint; AD 830-842; Obv: ΘEOFIL bASIL; Half-length figure standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger; Rev: ΘEO / FILE AVG / OVSTE SV / hICAS in four lines; 27.66mm; 7.46 grams; Sear 1667

As others have already said, Byzantine coins have some of the best (strangest) eyes. I love the "evil eyes" on this follis of Phocas. Phocas (602-610), Æ Follis (33mm, 11.79g), Cyzicus, Dated RY 4 ? (605/6); Obv: δN POCAS+PERPAVG, Crowned bust facing, wearing consular robes and holding mappa and cross, small cross to left; Rev: Large XXXX, ANNO above, II/II (date) to right, KYZA, Sear 665 And the extreme eye pointillism of this follis of Justin II and Sophia: Justin II & Sophie (Year 5, 569 - 570), Æ Follis, 31.4mm, 11.83g, Nicomedia, Obv: DN IVUSTINUS PP AVG Justin II and Sophie seated facing forward, each with nimbus, holding globus cruciger and cruciform scepter; Rev: ANNO U, large M surmounted by cross, with B below, NIKO in exergue, Sear 369 This follis of Theophilus has one of my all time favorite pairs of eyes (they are out of alignment, but in a pleasing way): Theophilus (AD 829-842) Æ Follis; Constantinople mint; AD 830-842; Obv: ΘEOFIL bASIL; Half-length figure standing facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger; Rev: ΘEO / FILE AVG / OVSTE SV / hICAS in four lines; 28mm; 8.26 grams; Sear 1667 Saint Maurice was given a little eye cavity with a jingly bean pupil on this 11th century coin from Vienne: France ARCHBISHOPRIC OF VIENNE - ANONYMOUS AR Denier, 11th - 12th Centuries; Obv: .+. S. M. VIENNA. (Saint Maurice of Vienne), profile of Saint Maurice, facing left; Rev: MAXIMA. GALL (Grand Gaul) And this coin is just odd all around, though it would probably rank higher in a "strangest mouths" thread: Mittelalter Deutschland. Pfennig (1441). Leichte Prägeschwäche. Sehr schön-vorzüglich. Augsburg-Bistum u. Stadt (gemeinschaftlich). or Middle Ages Germany. penny (1441). Slight embossing weakness. Very fine - extremely fine. Augsburg diocese and city (joint).

Thanks for all of the responses. I have not heard back from the vendor yet. I have also not paid the duty yet. I'm not 100% sure, but the DHL email looks legitimate (it contains all of my order information and the URL links in the email don't look suspicious), but that's also why I contacted the vendor asking if the charge seems legitimate. And, as mentioned, the vendor chose DHL and I wasn't given a choice. It is DHL Express, according to the email.

Hm. Interesting. The package contains a single coin that cost $127.00. If it had cost $2k+, I would pay the $46.66 with no issue.

No, I paid no import duty in the US. I've also had packages shipped from DHL before, possibly half a dozen times. Interesting.

I ordered a coin from MA-Shops that was shipped Jul 10. Today I received a message from DHL that I owe an extra US $46.66 for an import duty on the parcel. If I don't pay it in 5 days they will return it to the sender. I've ordered from MA-Shops (and other overseas vendors) many times and have never run into this. Have I just been lucky? I didn't see anything about this on the order page (but I admit the possibility that I missed something is greater than 0). Had I known this extra charge was coming I would not have ordered the coin. The import duty is almost half the cost of the coin itself. I sent a message to the vendor to confirm if the fee was legitimate and, if so, asking if we can just cancel the order. I guess we'll see where this goes. Any tips on these for the future? Should I have seen this coming? Again, I've been buying coins overseas for years and have never run into this before.

Michael II the Amorian (AD 820-829) with Theophilus Æ Follis; Constantinople mint; Obv: MIXAHL S ΘЄOFILOS, crowned facing busts of Michael (on left) and Theophilus (on right); cross above; Rev: Large M, X/X/X to left, cross above, N/N/N to right, Θ below; 29.12mm; 6.21 grams; Sear 1642

I think it's time to move on to Leo V. Sorry if my schedule is off. Leo V AD 813-820, Æ Follis (21.59mm, 5.48 grams) Constantinople Mint, Obv: LЄ-OҺ ЬASIL, crowned and draped bust facing, holding cross potent and akakia; Rev: Large M, [X/X/X] to left, cross above, N/N/N to right, A (officina) below, Sear 1629 Leo V AD 813-820, Æ Follis (23mm, 4.43 grams) Constantinopolis; LEON S CONST; facing busts of Leo (l.) and Constantine (r.); Large M between XXX and NNN; cross above and A below; Sear 1630

One of my largest coppers with a diameter somewhere between 37 - 40mm. Not to mention thick and chunky. When I first pulled this out of the shipping package, I couldn't believe its size. Justinian I Follis (540/1 - Year 14), Constantinople mint, Obv: DN IVSTINIANVS PP AVG, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing holding cross on globe and shield; cross to right. Rev: Large M, ANNO to left, cross above, XIIII (date) to right, A below, CON in exergue, Sear 163

I have no ancient coins that feature birds. I'll have to dig into the "other" pile, then. I also live with a real bird. He thinks I need more bird coins, so I had better get to work on that.

I think it might be this coin: https://www.coinarchives.com/a/lotviewer.php?LotID=2225907&AucID=5395&Lot=1116&Val=18bd287783eb4d873d7d731f32ed6827 Which has the following attribution: JUSTINIAN I (527-565). Pentanummium. Theoupolis (Antioch). Obv: Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: Large C containing monogram. Sear 245. Sear says "legend usually badly blundered" for 245, so it may not be legible or comprehensible - a similar type, Sear 240, has the legend: "JVSTINIANVS PP AVG" Perhaps you will catch the Byzantine disease? I am currently happily suffering. 😁