Post your latest ancient!

[Prieure de Sion]

13 minutes ago, Kazuma78 said:

Another new addition for the RR collection. 

I see your posting on Facebook, but I see it after I wake up in this morning at my mobile phone 😄 

Gratulations! This is an fantastic Coin. My (positive) envy will haunt you.... 😉 
Fantastic coin - enjoy it! 

 

Edited August 15, 2022 by Prieure de Sion

[Prieure de Sion]

Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius. Denarius circa 81, AR 20.00 mm., 3.84 g. Diademed head of Pietas r.; before, stork. Rev. Jug and lituus; in exergue, IMPER. All within wreath. Babelon Caecilia 44. Sydenham 751. RBW 1397. Crawford 374/2. from a private British collection.

So and that should be my last new addition for at least this week.

[Kazuma78]

8 minutes ago, Prieure de Sion said:

I see your posting on Facebook, but I see it after I wake up in this morning at my mobile phone 😄 

Gratulations! This is an fantastic Coin. My (positive) envy will haunt you.... 😉 
Fantastic coin - enjoy it! 

 

Thanks! Sorry for outbidding you (kind of). I'll post stuff there and then on this forum which is where I get most of my ancient fix by talking to and learning from other collectors. 

[Prieure de Sion]

10 minutes ago, Kazuma78 said:

Thanks! Sorry for outbidding you (kind of). I'll post stuff there and then on this forum which is where I get most of my ancient fix by talking to and learning from other collectors. 

All is well! All is well! Don't be afraid... I got another coin. And hey, we're so many collectors - you can't look at each other's coins to make sure you don't outbid each other. That's not possible. 

On the contrary - I'm very happy for you. I know your other coins - and once again you got a VERY VERY BEAUTIFUL new coin. It goes very well with your other coins. I am happy for you.

[El Cazador]

1 hour ago, Prieure de Sion said:

I see your posting on Facebook, but I see it after I wake up in this morning at my mobile phone 😄 

Gratulations! This is an fantastic Coin. My (positive) envy will haunt you.... 😉 
Fantastic coin - enjoy it! 

 

Bidding yesterday was brutal, i had my eye on 5 coins, managed to win my prime target though.

Caesar Elephant denarius had a strong  going for it, same with Lucania with glue residue 

[Kazuma78]

1 hour ago, El Cazador said:

Bidding yesterday was brutal, i had my eye on 5 coins, managed to win my prime target though.

Caesar Elephant denarius had a strong  going for it, same with Lucania with glue residue 

I was trying for the Lucania. I think its sell price was close to market value, maybe a slight discount. I would have cracked it and removed the residue. If the crest at the bottom had been struck up better or the reverse legend, I would have bid higher and bought it. It probably also has an old provenance out there outside of the listed one. 

 

Which did you win? 

Edited August 15, 2022 by Kazuma78

[DonnaML]

Which auction are you discussing?

[El Cazador]

14 minutes ago, Kazuma78 said:

I was trying for the Lucania. I think its sell price was close to market value, maybe a slight discount. I would have cracked it and removed the residue. If the crest at the bottom had been struck up better or the reverse legend, I would have bid higher and bought it. It probably also has an old provenance out there outside of the listed one. 

 

Which did you win? 

It looked decent, but it was a bit worned in my opinion…. In general, this supports our narrative that the prices are not coming down at all, maybe for more common coins, but Greeks, quality RR and rare RE emperors are still commanding rocket 🚀 prices… curious to see what Heritage Special collection brings in about 2 weeks…

[El Cazador]

24 minutes ago, Kazuma78 said:

I was trying for the Lucania. I think its sell price was close to market value, maybe a slight discount. I would have cracked it and removed the residue. If the crest at the bottom had been struck up better or the reverse legend, I would have bid higher and bought it. It probably also has an old provenance out there outside of the listed one. 

 

Which did you win? 

Edited August 15, 2022 by El Cazador

[Prieure de Sion]

17 minutes ago, DonnaML said:

Which auction are you discussing?

https://www.greatcollections.com

🙂 

[DonnaML]

2 hours ago, Prieure de Sion said:

https://www.greatcollections.com

🙂 

Thank you. I never pay attention to those auctions for the same reason I never look at Heritage auctions: the coins are all slabbed, and I would assume that the prices are inflated accordingly.

[Kazuma78]

43 minutes ago, DonnaML said:

Thank you. I never pay attention to those auctions for the same reason I never look at Heritage auctions: the coins are all slabbed, and I would assume that the prices are inflated accordingly.

A lot of the time it is a waste, but every once in awhile one slips through the cracks- as happens in most auctions eventually. 

[Curtis JJ]

4 hours ago, Prieure de Sion said:

https://www.greatcollections.com

🙂 

2 hours ago, DonnaML said:

Thank you. I never pay attention to those auctions for the same reason I never look at Heritage auctions: the coins are all slabbed, and I would assume that the prices are inflated accordingly.

Same here, I kept checking Great Collections for a while, but I never ended up bidding, mainly because their slab-photography is so badly suited to ancients. Sometimes I could check the NGC website, but their photos usually aren't much better, just good enough to verify it's the same coin.

With modern coins there may not be enough variation coin-to-coin, and the grading may be consistent enough, that you don't necessarily need to see each coin in as much detail. Also, I think modern coins usually photograph better in slabs than do ancients, but not knowing as much about them, I could be missing something.

Basically, I find it impossible to tell the different between a decent "Mint State" coin and a special one I'd want much more, and would pay more for. Is it a $100 Fallen Horseman that I don't want, or a $300 one that I'd love to have?

I've only made one bid from one of those all-encapsulated auctioneers oriented to modern coins. I don't even know how I found out the coin was available.

But I got a Koson Drachm much cheaper than it would've sold at an ancient coin auction (I wouldn't have even tried for one of these ones at Leu or Roma or Gorny that hammered for $1,000 or 2,000!). No one else bid, got it for the open.

Guess that goes to show they're worth keeping an eye on (but I still haven't!):

 

It's funny that these are all graded "EF 45," since I'm sure they're all actually mint state, just with die wear (like most of the AV Staters). I don't think I've ever seen one slabbed by NGC. There was some question of authenticity for years (there still is among some dealers), so I'm assuming that's why they're all slabbed at ANACS. (Heritage sold a couple from the same batch in ANACS slabs -- I'm sure they'd have tried NGC first.)

 

Edited August 15, 2022 by Curtis JJ

[Roman Collector]

These two coins arrived in today's mail -- a Hadrian snack and a gift from @Theodosius!

Hadrian, AD 117-138.
Roman orichalcum semis, 3. 42 g, 17.5 mm, 6 h.
Rome, AD 128-129.
Obv: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS P P, laureate head, right.
Rev: COS III S C, three standards.
Refs: RIC 2.3, 976; RIC 977; BMCRE 1381*; Cohen 450; RCV--.

Constantine I, AD 307-337.
Roman billon centenionalis, 3.39 g, 18.6 mm, 6 h.
Thessalonica, AD 326-328.
Obv: CONSTAN-TINVS AVG, laureate head, right.
Rev: PROVIDEN-TIAE AVGG, Camp gate with two turrets, without doors, with six stone layers; star above. -/•//SMTSΓ.
Refs: RIC vii, p. 518, 153; LRBC I, 829; Cohen 454; RCV 16254.

[Prieure de Sion]

23 hours ago, Prieure de Sion said:

So and that should be my last new addition for at least this week.

What do I care about what I said yesterday? 😎
She screamed - buy me! Buy me!

 

Lentulus Spinther, Smyrna (?), Silver Denarius, 21mm, 3.93mm, Crawford 500/3, Military Minting with Cassius and Brutus, Libertas at Obverse, Jug and Lituus at Reverse

 

Edited August 16, 2022 by Prieure de Sion

[CPK]

Here is a new one. I had wanted one of these Alexander portrait coins for a little while, but did not feel like committing the money for a tetradrachm. This drachm - somewhat pitted and porous, with a test cut - brought it within reach of my budget. What do you all think? An okay purchase for $70?

Apparently, this reverse variation - with the bee facing right instead of left - is somewhat rare, according to CNG (see below).

 

And here is the CNG example. (Is it a die match?)

[Etcherdude]

Not a die match. Look at the size and shape of the area formed by the curve of the horn.

[CPK]

30 minutes ago, Etcherdude said:

Not a die match. Look at the size and shape of the area formed by the curve of the horn.

I'm more thinking about the reverse.

[Curtis JJ]

3 hours ago, CPK said:

And here is the CNG example. (Is it a die match?)

I think your Athena has a "K" as a control under the throne? Hard to quite see it. If so, it's a different Thompson and Muller type and the rarity statement may not apply (not that rarity for these control marks is terribly important, since there are literally thousands of known combinations)

In any case, that's a good purchase. Hard to find one for $70! Personally, I've never thought cut marks were that big a deal (as long as it's ancient damage, I'm far more accepting than modern damage).

[Broucheion]

9 hours ago, CPK said:

(Is it a die match?)

Hi @CPK,

I don’t think so looking at the position of the lambda & eta of BASILEOS relative to Athena’s shield on both reverses.

- Broucheion 

[shanxi]

Also the helmet is clearly different:

[Edessa]

Roman Cilicia, Tarsus. Hadrian, AD 117-138. AR Tridrachm (25mm, 10.31g, 12h). Struck circa AD 117-138. Obv: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΘΕ ΤΡΑ ΠΑΡ ΥΙ ΘΕ ΝΕΡ-ΥΙ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟC CΕ; Laureate and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right. Rev: ΤΑΡCΕΩΝ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΕΩC; Lion attacking bull kneeling left. Ref: Prieur 766; RPC 3265. Good Very Fine, old cabinet tone, two small digs on reverse. From the collection of a Mentor. Ex Naville Numis 75 (31 Jul 2022), Lot 469.

[Prieure de Sion]

Today I poached at the Flavians. Actually I only wanted to buy a Flavier lady - but it was like in the supermarket - never go hungry to an auction. In the end I have to explain to the woman again why one coin has become several. First of all, decorative accessories.

 

Domitian, 81-96. Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 3.42 g, 6 h), Rome, 92-93. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XII Laureate head of Domitian to right. Rev. IMP XXII COS XVI CENS P P P Minerva standing to right on capital of rostral column, hurling spear with her right hand and holding shield in her left; at her feet to right, owl facing. BMC 202. Cohen 281. RIC 740.

Domitian, 81-96. Denarius (Silver, 18.5 mm, 3.54 g, 6 h), Rome, 95-96. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XV Laureate head of Domitian to right. Rev. IMP XXII COS XVII CENS P P P Minerva standing to left, holding spear in her right hand and resting her left hand at her waist. BMC 235. Cohen 290. RIC 790.

Vespasian, 69-79. Hemidrachm (Silver, 15 mm, 1.91 g, 12 h), Caesaraea-Eusebia, Cappadocia, AYTOKP KAICAP OYECΠACIANOC CEBA Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev. Nike advancing right, holding wreath in right hand and palm branch over shoulder in left. Henseler 71. Metcalf 17. RPC 1659. Sydenham, Caesarea 94.

 

But actually none of these were planned. This lady here was the real reason for my visit to this auction house today. Unfortunately, the three gentlemen were auctioned off before her - so I grabbed them as I went by. But what the heck - so this was / is the lady of my desire - may I introduce. Julia Titi with the most beautiful bottom of Venus.

Julia Titi, Augusta, 79-90/1. Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 3.39 g, 6 h), struck under Titus, 80-81. IVLIA AVGVSTA TITI AVGVSTI F. Diademed and draped bust of Julia Titi to right, her hair in a plait down the back of her neck. Rev.VENVS AVGVST Venus standing right, half draped, nude to the hips and leaning on a column to her right, holding a helmet in her left hand and a long transverse scepter in her right. BMC 141. Cohen 14. RIC 388.

 

 

Edited August 21, 2022 by Prieure de Sion

[Etcherdude]

13 hours ago, CPK said:

I'm more thinking about the reverse.

To me the obverses have more similarities than the two reverses!

[Svessien]

On 8/12/2022 at 5:26 AM, Curtis JJ said:

How about ancient coin literature? I just got my "sendungsbenachrichtigung" email from DHL about a second group of winnings from the Hermann Lanz (1910-1998) & Hubert Lanz Library (sold in a pair of G. Hirsch auctions). This time it was mostly auction catalogs. They're in Frankfurt now, about to cross over. ("Sendungsbenachrichtigung!" I love German!)

 

A couple months ago I received about 10 vols. or so from Lanz Library Part I (G. Hirsch e-Auction 7). A couple favorites:

(maybe I'll take some more photos for a new "Literature" thread, haven't been many new ones...)

An original BMC Corinth with the bookplate of Sir George Francis Hill (1867-1948) and red ink stamp from Hermann Lanz Library (plus his inv. no. 538). Also shown: my homemade custom "Lanz BMC box". (Not shown, but also in the box: Hermann Lanz's BMC Central Greece [Locris, Phocis, Boeotia, Euboia].)

The other favorite doesn't have a photo yet, but it's the Kunstmuseum Winterthur Library copy of the 1871 large folio size (LARGE!) volume of Friedrich Imhoof-Blumer's (1839-1920) Choix de Monnaies Grecques du Cabinet de F. Imhoof - Blumer. What makes it special is that it's signed and beautifully inscribed by Imhoof-Blumer to the Winterthur Kunstmuseum on the title page. It's a bit fragile and has the typical spotting found on 19th century engraved plates.

The current "sendungsbenachrichtigung" group includes mostly catalogs:

• Hess No. 207 (1931, Slg. H. Otto, from which I have one coin);
• Hubert Lanz's custom hardcover sets (1 of 2 sets?) of the 3 Leo Benz Collection sales (1998-2000, Lanz 88, 94, 100, from which I have one coin; luckily I have copies of two catalogs, so these ones can be my "shelf' copies);
• Munzhandlung Basel No. 6 (1936), an important sale of Alexandrian coins (here's my web page on important auction sales of Alexandrian coins);

The one I'm most excited about is the Kunsfreundes (Gillet) sale. It's an important sale but not rare or valuable or anything. But there's something special about this one: “beigeschriebenen Ergebnissen und meist auch Käufern sowie Ergebnisliste.” I don’t speak German, but that sounds like a priced and “mostly” named copy. That's a big deal for provenance research and catalog collectors. I went for it because it was selling at a normal price for this catalog (actually kinda low).

 

Maybe there were other hand-named and priced copies made at the time. Previously, I’d only heard of one named copy (not the same one, and unlike mine, fully named), which sold at the second BCD Library Duplicates auction in 2015 (hammer, 700 CHF):

This particular copy, bound in full leather, in the ‘BCD style’ as some like to say, has an added attraction. The names of the buyers are bound in at the end, copied from a confidential list stolen from the offices of M&M in Basel … Forty years is a long time but nevertheless I hope the buyer of this lot will keep this sensitive information to himself.

BCD Library Duplicates Sale II, Auctiones GmbH Auction 39 (Online, 5 July 2015), Lot 214. (Emphasis mine.)

Presumably the present copy was annotated live in 1974 by Hermann Lanz (or Gitta Kastner or the owner of one of the other libraries absorbed by Lanz). Once I have the document I’ll know more.

Really nice to see you got your hands on some literature from that auction. I considered bidding myself, but concluded that my coin literature budget is close to spent for this year. My most important purchase was the first 6 BMC volumes of Roman Imperial Coins. I’ve also bought “The coins of Troy” by Bellinger, one volume of SNG Copenhagen, “Ancient Greek and Roman coins vol. 1” by Sear, plus some more antiquated works that are more collectibles than usable material now. 
 

I’m now waiting for coins instead. These two are in fact waiting for me down at the post office. Here’s Yazdgird I (399-420) and Varham V (420-428) from the Sasanid empire. 

I need some reading up on Sasanid coins, when I come to think of it. Any recommendations for books or web pages, anyone?