The Budget Game! $500-$700 edition

[NewStyleKing]

Whoops, this is what I bought from the hoard,

Athens New Style Tetradrachm c145/4 BC

Obs : Athena Parthenos right in tri-form helmet 16.70 gm 34.8mm Thompson issue 20 Thompson catalogue : Obs 160 : Rev NEW Rev : ΑΘΕ ethnic Owl standing on overturned panathenaic amphora on which month mark Γ : LF control mark ΣΦΑΙ 2 magistrates : ΠΑΔΩ ΛΥΣΙΑ RF symbol :Forepart of Bridled Horse All within a surrounding olive wreath

 

 

Athens New Style Tetradrachm c143/2 BC

Obs : Athena Parthenos right in tri-form helmet 16.00 gm 34.4mm Thompson issue 22 Thompson catalogue : Obs 188 : Rev NEW Rev : ΑΘΕ ethnic Owl standing on overturned panathenaic amphora on which month mark Θ below left control mark ME 2 magistrates : ΔΙΟΦΑ ΔΙΟΔΟ LF symbol : Apollo All within a surrounding olive wreath

[Hughie Dwyer]

I have a few coins coming in around the £50 mark. 

Edited April 25, 2023 by Hughie Dwyer

[Hughie Dwyer]

And then a few more closer to £100

 

[Edessa]

The Triumvirs. Octavian, Autumn 31-summer 30 BC. AR Denarius (20mm, 3.57g, 9h). Italian (Rome?) mint. Obv: Bare head right. Rev: CAESAR-DIVI F; Mercury seated right on rock, playing lyre; petasos around neck. Ref: RIC I 257; CRI 401; RSC 61. Good Fine, old collection toning, banker's marks. Ex CNG Web Auction, Feb 2000. This was $90, all in.

 

Edited April 27, 2023 by Edessa
Better picture.

[CPK]

Here is a decent Titus (as Caesar) bronze that cost less than $100. There are a couple things I like about it - first, it has an interesting pedigree (from the collection of Kenneth Bressett), and second, the portrait is struck in very high relief.

 

 

 

 

 

[Sol_Invictus]

Here are a couple coins I have purchased this year for between $50 and $100 (total, including shipping, fees, etc):

Arab-Byzantine, Umayyad Caliphate, Caliph 'Abd al-Malik, 685-705 AD. AE Fals, Dimashq mint, 21mm, ~3 grams

Obv: Caliph standing with sword in hand. Arabic legend.

Rev: Modified cross (qutb?) on steps. Arabic legend.

Album 3540; Goodwin 706; ex. Wayne G Sayles 2023. ex James Theselius Collection.

Purchased for a little over $50 from Wayne G Sayles earlier this year. The photo above is Mr. Sayles'. The coin looks quite a bit better in hand, but I haven't been able to capture a better photo of it myself.

 

Azes I, Indo-Scythian Kingdom, 58 - 12 BC. AE Tetradrachm, 29mm, 12.92 grams.

Obv: BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY / AZOY Bull standing right; above, monogram.

Rev: 'Maharajasa rajadhirajasa mahatasa / Ayasa' ('of Great King, King of Kings, Azes the Great' in Kharoshthi) Lion standing right; above, monogram.

HGC 12, 657; Senior 102; ex. Leu Numismatik Web Auction 25, 2023, lot 1269. ex. Dr Björn-Uwe Abels collection. ex. Robert Tye 2010

Purchased at recent Leu auction for about $75 (including shipping and fees, and conversion to from CHF to USD). The photos above are from Leu Numismatik.

 

[robinjojo]

I guess this coin helps balance my books loaded with dumb expensive purchases.  I picked this one up for $2.00 on eBay.

Gallienus, antoninianus, Rome 267 AD, AETERNITAS Saturn reverse.

C 388; Van Meter 13-1

3.74 grams

Edited April 26, 2023 by robinjojo

[JayAg47]

Post coins in the price range of $100-$150. 

I was able to get a couple of gold coins in this price range that are not the common fanams from 19th century India.

$110, Jul 2020, Hoehn (Ma-shops). 

Rajendra Chola

1014-1044 0.45g Commemorative coin of Rajendra Chola shows the conquest of neighboring kingdoms of Chera, and Pandya, depicted as the royal emblems-Cholan tiger, flanked by the Pandyan twin fish to its right, and the Cheran bow behind the tiger, all under the single rule symbolized by the umbrella.  Reverse reads Yudha-malla, aka one who's strong in battles.

$103, Jul 2021, eBay.

Gold Meiji 2 Meiji 2 BU-BAN-KIN, EDO (1868 - 1869), 3.08g. $ 130, 2021, Zurqieh. Trajan Tetradrachm Antioch 14.6g, 23mm.

Edited April 28, 2023 by JayAg47

[CPK]

Here are a couple Vespasian coins which fell in that range. Both feature outstanding portraits and both are special in some way. The first is an extremely rare variant of an extremely common Vespasian bronze as. As I posted here, the type is missing from the British Museum collection and I was able to find only two other like it online.

 

The second was purchased through one of CNG's Keystone auctions. This coin came from the collection of Kenneth Bressett. The auction house also notes that it was sold by Bill Higgie in 1986 for $3.50 😯

 

[kapphnwn]

Back in March 2006 I paid 125 Euros for this coin. The coin was in a Rauch Auction and was remaindered. 

Trajan Ae Dupondius 101-102 AD Obv Head right radiate Rv Abundantia seated left RIC 428 Woytek 96a 13.52 grms 28 mm Photo by W. HansenBack in those days I was what would be called an estimate bidder, and I was very found of going through remainder lots to find coins overlooked by other collectors. I was rather successful in acquiring remainders so much so that I used to characterize my collection as the "Unwanted " Ancient coin collection  

[shanxi]

2022 

120 Euro for a very rare little coin

Lydia, Hierocaesareia
Pseudo-autonomous. Time of Nero (54-68). Capito, high priest.
Dated between AD 54 and 59
Obv: ΝƐΡWΝ ΚΛΑΥΔΙΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ϹƐΒΑϹΤΟϹ, draped bust of Nero, r.
Rev: ΙƐΡΟΚƐϹΑΡƐWΝ ƐΠΙ ΚΑΠΙΤWΝΟϹ, Artemis Persica standing facing, drawing arrow; stag on either side
AE, 4.95g 19mm
Ref.: RPC I, 2384

 

[sand]

I have many coins, for which I paid $100 to $150. However, the only 1 of these coins, for which I have my own photos, is the following coin. I paid $112 including shipping etc, in May 2021, for this frightening ancient Greek coin. It's in a 2 way tie, for my 2nd oldest bronze coin. It makes me think, of the man in the moon.

Sicily Kamarina AE Onkia. 413 BC to 405 BC. Sear 1064. Calciatti III.54.18. Diameter = 13 mm. Weight = 1.16 grams. Obverse : Gorgon. Reverse : Owl Grasping Lizard.

Edited April 30, 2023 by sand

[Edessa]

This was $128, but it was 27 years ago.

Hadrian, AD 117-138. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.33g, 7h). "Travel series" issue. Rome mint, struck circa AD 130-133. Obv: HADRIANVS-AVG COS III P P; Bare head of Hadrian right, seen from behind. Rev: AFRICA; Africa reclining left, leaning on rock, wearing elephant-skin headdress, holding scorpion and cornucopia; basket of fruit and grain ears to left. Ref: RIC II.3 1495; RIC II 299; RSC 138. Good Very Fine. Ex Berk, Nov 1996, with ticket marked at $250.

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Postumus (260-269). Æ Sestertius (31.5mm, 23.88g, 6h). Treveri, AD 261. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. R/ Fides standing facing, head l., holding two signa. RIC V 124

$155.83, 8-31-22.

 

[Hughie Dwyer]

Only a couple this time:

 

[Limes]

Late to the party, very good idea for a thread. I hope you'll forgive for posting a few coins in the different ranges in one post: 

below 50:

For a mere 40 euro's I recently got this scarcer denarius of Caracalla. I've looked for one for quite some time. The reverse is what attracted me to it; its the God of the underworld, with the with the three-headed hound Cerberus. And the portrait of Caracalla is very handsome as well. 

This is my 'cheapest' coin in the collection, a beautiful campgate of Constantine I (which deserves better photos). Bought in 2016 for a mere 13 eur (ex fee):

I have quite a few coins between the 50 - 100 range, mainly denarii of the adoptive emperors and Severan dynasty. I wont post all of them. But since @Edessa posted his Hadrian 'Africa' travel series denarius, which is a lovely coin, I think it's interesting post mine, which was 75 ex juice. I think it's difficult to say something about the prices paid, since his was bought 25 years ago, but it goes without saying his coin is far superior, and would fetch a high price if he would sell it today. 

When it comes to the 100 - 150 price range, this is actually one of the few in that range in my collection, and one the first coins I ever bought above 100 eur: 

 

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

I acquired this lovely Gordian III Sestertius for c. $133 in the spring of '22.

This Heraclius Hexagram was $120, 3/5/2023.

[JayAg47]

Post your coins between $150-$200!!!

I only have a couple of coins in this range, and only a few as the budget increases in upcoming days. 

$160, Nov 2021, local coin dealer, an upgrade to my previous broken siliqua.

Gratian Siliqua
DN GRATIANVS P F AVG
VRBS - ROMA, Roma holding Victory.
2.10g
Trier mint, 367-375 AD.

$163, Mar 2021, Bargainbin Ancients, my first Attica tetradrachm, went for the cheapest option, the coin was covered in thick layers of horn silver which I removed to reveal underlying details. 

Athens Attica Intermediate Tetradrachm
16.57 g
Pi-style V
c. 350 - 297 B.C.

Edited May 1, 2023 by JayAg47

[Edessa]

Not a bargain, but I thought this was a handsome example for the price of just at $200.

Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt. Ptolemy III Euergetes, 246-222 BC. Æ Triobol (34.5mm, 36.03g, 12h). Alexandreia mint. Series 5B. Obv: Horned head of Zeus-Ammon right, wearing taenia with basileion over forehead, dotted border. Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ; Eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt; filleted cornucopia to left, XP monogram between legs. Ref: CPE B396; Svoronos 965; SNG Copenhagen 173–5. Good Very Fine. Brown surfaces with patches of red. Ex CNG e456 (13 Nov 2019), Lot 235. CPE notes the fine style of this issue. This specimen slightly heavier than normal as referenced in CPE (33.47 g from 121 examples for Series 5B).

[shanxi]

150 Euro + X (2022)

For my Artemis collection, but I also like the portrait

Ionia, Ephesos.
(AD 253-260)
Obv: AYT K ΠO ΛIKINI OYAΛEPIANOC, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: EΦECIΩN A ACIAC, Artemis seated on stag right; holding bow and drawing arrow from quiver.
AE, 8.68g, 25mm
Ref.: Karwiese 1136 (V12/R54); BMC -; SNG von Aulock -

 

Edited May 1, 2023 by shanxi

[NewStyleKing]

Bought on eBay for £161 in 2018. The original image is crusty and I looked at it repeatedly, looked at the source, which was Liverpool , not noted as a source of NewStyles but took a chance and bought it . Obviously genuine and it cleaned up well, which since the goddess is the personification of personal cleanliness is to be expected! How it got to Liverpool I cannot guess.

 

Diokles is a known entity, a priest of Asklepios, Hygeia etc and as the coin says Diokles for the 2nd time, he produced 3 issues of NewStyles in the very ending of their production probably in the 40's BC as memorial pieces or gifts in a basically extinct coinage type just before Marcus Antonius crashed into Athens as the new Dionysos!  These coins are of Diokles super rare, so was there a temple to cleanliness in Liverpool, did John, Paul, George & Ringo gig it ? Maybe was it in Tetradrachm Lane by Raspberry Fields...who knows?

On the obverse Athena is wearing a tri-part set of earrings rather than the normal drop type.

Must be worth a drachm or two more than £161 & £8 s&h but I doubt it too much cos it aint got provenance and in a plastic tomb!  Maybe Sir Paul McCartney will sign it for me  and Ringo use it for his Hi Hat!  and then "In The End" maybe it would sell!

Very rare, 4 tetradrachms of 3 Obverses, 4 reverses -all in museums- known. Example from unknown Athens sub-mint in the UK

 

Athens New Style Tetradrachm c 47 BC

Obs : Athena Parthenos right in tri-form helmet with tr-partite earrings
27mm 17.04gm Thompson (new) issue 105
Thompson catalogue: Obs: I260 Rev:NEW
Rev : ΑΘΕ ethnic
Owl standing on overturned panathenaic amphora on
which month mark A: control ΣΩ below
2 magistrates : DIOKLES TO DEY MEDEIOS
RF symbol : Hygieia
All within a surrounding olive wreath

Edited May 1, 2023 by NewStyleKing

[NewStyleKing]

Late NewStyle Stag  post Sulla, £110 3 years ago NN auction, really cheap!  A bit flattish and worn!

 

Athens New Style Tetradrachm c79/8 BC

Obs : Athena Parthenos right in tri-form helmet
30 mm 16.60 gm Thompson issue 86 Thompson catalogue: Obs 1217 Rev: New/Not in plates?
Rev : ΑΘΕ ethnic
Owl standing on overturned panathenaic amphora
on which month mark ? control ? below
2 magistrates : NESTOR MNASEAS
RF symbol : Stag
All surrounded by an olive wreath

Edited May 1, 2023 by NewStyleKing

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

ATTICA, Athens. Circa 454-404 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24 mm, 16,73 g, ). Helmeted head of Athena right, with frontal eye / Owl standing right, head facing, closed tail feathers; olive spray and crescent to left; all within incuse square

Phoenician imitative of Athens Tet.  $199.83, August 2022.

PAMPHYLIA. Aspendos. Circa 420-410 BC. Stater (Silver, 24 mm, 10.87 g, ). Two wrestlers beginning to grapple with each other. Rev. ΕΣΤFΕ Slinger striding right, preparing to launch sling-bolt; to right, triskeles counterclockwise; all within pelleted square border. SNG BN 45. Tekin Series A.

$175 October 2022

 

[Hughie Dwyer]

I have a few from this period; here's two of them:

 

Possibly my favourite coin, this Hadrian denarius is one of the highlights of my collection.

 

The next one is my latest coin, and I am extremely happy with it!

 

[Coinmaster]

This weekend I purchaised this nice denarius from Septimius Severus via the Savoca auction, for € 50,-. Including fees and shipping almost € 75,-. I think (and hope) not too much for this nice portrait.