Nerosmyfavorite68

I was a bit intrigued by this inexpensive seal and plopped it into my order. It was sold as Byzantine, but it doesn't look very byzantine to me. It's very thick, more like a Hershey's kiss. Anyone have any theories? Title: Byzantine Empire Lead Seal Date: 7th-10th century AD Obverse: Draped bust right Size: 18.13 mm Weight: 10.17 grams

Yes, good points, part of the reason that I would rather just use my old Sony. The Note is fine for casual pictures or scanning the occasional doc. For trying to photograph the hummingbird when it zips by my patio, it's fine. Another thing; I don't want to spend hundreds (new camera and macro lens) on something which would only get used sporadically. I want to get a new Canon or Nikon when the MP at least get bumped up somewhat. If I'm going to spend a grand, I want to make sure it's something I really love. The camera would be mounted on the contraption for long stretches. I do occasionally use it for other stuff, like my labels. Anyway, thanks for the very good advice. I don't want to hijack this thread with my wishing and dreaming. I have a tendency to get paralyzed in a project if it's hard. If it's something that I can get ready made out of the box, it often happens very quickly. I.e. Something I have to build...probably going to take a long time, if ever. My transcription turntable project never happened. I have this great unrestored turntable, but it would have entailed shipping it to the next state to get restored, and worse, building a plinth. Covid hit, and I had problems even finding a proper box. Turntable's still sitting, like it has been for 20 years. I also have a new transcription table, which gave me the luxury to sit. Or, I could build Kaleun's setup, piecemeal. I.e. with each coin order, get a part or two.

Hooray!

They're pretty basic. However, if that's the worst problem the site has, we're doing well.

I wonder about how much it would cost for Doug Smith's setup? My neighbor could make it in his sleep, but I would have to provide the template for the holes, which would probably be the hangup, and I feel guilty about asking him for anything after all he's done, even if it would be for pay. I wish I could just hire someone here, on this board (in the U.S.) and have it shipped (mailed) to my place. Or, conversely, suggest how long the vertical bars should be, and I could take my chance asking him. I guess it would be kind of useless to do anything much until I got the tube. Kaleun's is awesome, and kind of ready-made, which is good, but I don't want to spend $500 on something I'm only going to use in spurts. At some point, I want to get a new, nice camera, but except for the hideously expensive ones, the last time I looked a few months ago, they were all still sitting at 24MP. I want at least 40 until I make the leap. My Note 20 does 108MP, but I don't know if it does RAW. Workspace; I guess it'll have to still be my record photographing station; a decrepit 1940 Philco chairside radio, which was built to be a de-facto chairside table. Perfect for putting large records on to photograph. With my record labels, it doesn't ahve to be greatly artistic. We're just trying to see what's on the label for research purposes. As long as it's not dreadful, we're happy. With a setup like that, I need better lighting.

It's a bit off-topic, but I've always wondered, what did the very early Seljuks (1070's-1140's) use for coinage?

Thanks! I'd kind of like to fold one into my next order. I'm ordering from a large dealer, so they should have one.

Arab-Byzantine coinage, while quite interesting, is really a topic by itself. I would like to learn more about coinage, especially the gold and silver of the classic caliphates; the Umuyyad and Abbasid, respectively; the caligraphy coins. Islamic gold used to be dirt cheap, relatively speaking, back in the 1990's, but that window has passed. I'd eventually like a common dinar. What are the best search terms to find common Umuyyad/Abbasid silver? I never collected them because for a very long time, I'd only collect coins with a portrait, mostly of a ruler, but it could be of a person or animal. Now, if they could only have started out with coins like the 1240's Seljuks; the cool lion and sun type. Those are awesome! Which rulers would be best to look for to find a common, but high grade dihrem?

The snarling Michael Ducas is pretty awesome. I'm not sure if mine is scowling. Mine's more gold-toned; was it a trick of the light? There's a contractor at work who has a Heraclius beard. I can certainly understand the allure of the late 11th-12th century precious metal coinage. I love those!

I would like a New Style someday, but not that one! (Paul Lynde voice), It's hideous.

My only tiny gripe is that the emojis aren't very good. However, that's probably baked into the software. Otherwise, I'm pretty darn happy.

That stinks. I had no idea of the sale and picked this coin up because it was poorly described. I was on a mission to get the best possible example. Did I overpay for it? Possibly, but it was a bucket list want to find an exceptional piece, and it wasn't THAT much. It's funny how memory works; I remember distinctly looking at less nice versions of this in HJB pick bins, c. 1995. Heck, I can still remember some of the types in there. Yet, I forget some of my own coins.

I went to post my Sestertius of Hadrian burning the tax records, but looked at the picture and decided otherwise. It's embarrassingly decrepit. Here's a worn, but very historic piece commemorating the defeat of Marc Antony, whom I refer to as the bungling thug (I'm Team Augustus). (Antony did produce some cool coins, though). Attribution: RIC I 267 Uncertain Italian mint Date: 30-29 BC Obverse: Anipigraphic, bare head of Octavian right Reverse: Quadriga, facing, set atop triumphal arch (the Actian Arch) with architrave inscribed with IMP CAESAR Size: 18.09mm Weight: 2.63 grams (doesn't look grainy in person, just honestly worn). And may I add that while I don't actually have very many pieces of Domitian, his IOVI VICTORI Sestertii are within my top 10 of favorite Roman (affordable) types. I prefer the idealized portrait issues. Since my coin budget has improved, I should endeavor to find a nice IOVI. I have one with a nice patina, but it's worn. I looked in the folder with my older coin pictures, but couldn't find my secular games Domitian. It must have either been a coin show buy or a Christmas present from dad. Probably the latter.

That's an impressive Severus collection. My only really nice Severus (IIRC) is a 'mint' state Denarius from a 1997 HJB sale. It's in the vast pile of unphototographed coins. I also have a very decrepit joint Severus and Albinus provincial AE, my only Albinus to date. There's probably some Severus provincials in my bulk bag buy of the 1990's. Fortunately, the provincial bag wasn't misplaced in my move. I hid the As bag too well when I was moving.

BYZANTINE: Heraclius, AD 610-641, Syracuse, AE Follis (32mm, 13.28g). Really nice example with brown and crayon green patina. Ex Laurel Certified coins, S844, from collection of: Rodolfo Spahr (1894-1981), author of important book on Byzantine coins of Sicily (among others): Le Monete Siciliane, dai Bizantini a Carlo I d' Angio (582 - 1282). (Graz, 1976). (excerpted from CT). This is one of my favorite Byzantine types. I had a nice example of the smaller kind, but not this. It's hard to top this one. It's more of a glossy, jade green patina. It also proves that coins of Anastasius through Justinian (pre-reform) were still circulating, or in storage somewhere.

It's actually a pretty nice, glossy coin. I think it might be my only Carinus. RB41911. Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 212, SRCV III 12339, C 8, VF, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, weight 2.587g, maximum diameter 22.3mm, die axis 180o, 283 A.D.; obverse IMP C M AVR CARINVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse AEQVITAS AVGG, Aequitas standing left, scales in right, cornucopia in left, A (1st officina) right; Ex: Forum

I think you made the right choice. I myself bought a heavily tooled Aurelian Double Sestertius (the type with a radiate crown), many moons ago. I wasn't unhappy with it at the time, but I haven't looked at it in years. I don't regret that particular buy, as how many Aurelian Double Sestertii come along that I can afford? That's the only tooled coin I have, that I know of. If it doesn't mess up one of your buys, I'm curious to know what type the mystery tooled coin was?

Pretty cool!

Here's an oldie but goodie, my 40 nummi of Justinian II. I wanted a round one, which cut down on the possible candidates. It looks less awful in person, and that's not active bd. Justinian II 1st Reign Bronze Follis, Sear-1260, Year-2, Officina-A, struck 686-687 at Constantinople, 8.07 grams, 26.6 mm. Obv: IUSJINIANUS P - Bust of Justinian facing, with short beard, wearing crown and chlamys, and holding globus cruciger, a cross in the right field Rev: Large 'M' between ANNO and numerals representing the regnal year, with cross above and officina letter below, CON in exergue Ex: Dr. Michael Metlich Collection Ex: Glenn W. Woods Does anyone have any miltary mint folles of Maurice Tiberius or the enigmatic Heraclius folles with the Theup mintmark? The latter appear in the e-book, Early Byzantine Copper Coins. I don't recall anyone ever posting the large folles of Constantine IV, Sear number in the 1170's. The 3/4 military bust one is on my bucket list. Those are nice, Simon. Quant.Geek, nice Theophilus. I'd like to pick up one of those early Indian silver coins, kind of squarish with punch marks. What's the correct search term? HJB always had a bunch in the 1990s pick bins. I was too busy picking out the Justinian II's and Heraclius from Sicily :0. I also picked out a really decrepit Menander? Tetradrachm.

Your setup has produced quite satisfactory results over the years, dougsmit. I'm assuming that the bottom of the can has been removed, letting the bottom foam rubber sheet be shown?

I have a Sony alpha 77, which is fine for normal photography, but what should I do; get an extension tube? Severus Alexander has mentioned the tube to me before, but I forgot to look if it's Minolta/Sony friendly. Should I go after a digital rebel, or something of the sort? It'd be awfully inconvenient to have to constantly hook the camera up to the contraption. I use it.

I hope I didn't scare off the late collectors. It certainly doesn't mean that I'm not interested in your coins. There are some folks here who have some really rare and interesting types. Furthermore, what attracts you to the late period?

That's an exceptionally nice Leo V, ewomack. I'm not even sure if I have any Leo V's. I'm weak on the 9th century emperors.

I don't know, he really was one of the most successful leaders of all time. He kind of deserved his titles, so I show him that respect. Exceptionally few leaders could match his credentials. Here's my favorite affordable Augustus types, and one of my favorite of the whole Roman series. Attribution: RPC 2233 Date: 25 BC Obverse: AVGVSTVS, Bust right within border of dots Reverse: CA within circle in wreath, all within border of dots Size: 34.58 mm Weight: 18.6 grams

Yes, it certainly was in no way meant to denigrate anyone who does collect the series. It was just a personal collecting opinion, more so because of the historyof the times. I certainly respect their collections . I don't know why, but while depressing, the 5th century Western empire is different for me. I would collect Avitus, Priscus Attalus, et al, but since I'm not a billionaire, I don't have to worry. I can't afford a Glycerius. Anyway, I don't want this to derail the thread. Feel free to post your Byzantine and/or why you like to collect Byzantine. It's hard to explain why, but I enjoy collecting Sear 805. They're not pretty and are usually overstruck sloppily, but they have a certain charm to them which I really enjoy. This one, believe it or not, is actually about as good as these get, at least on the obverse. My S 844 is crappy, but I bought it because it had an unusually large flan (35 mm). and it was the best one on vcoins at the time.