a birthday present to self; how did I do?

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

My birthday order from Europe came today.  It was well-packed, but as some European dealers are wont to do, came with no ID tag/documentation for the 1963 provenance, nor for the other coins, instead being packed in little baggies.  The coins are all quite nice and I would buy from said dealer again.  I'll have to email to ask about the 1963 mystery provenance. It's nice that he noted in the description that the throw-in coins were from a regular collector, which I'm satisfied with.

I can't open the baggies tonight, as I was washing my hands frequently due to a co-worker from Hades (I'm sure we all have one of those) being moderately sick today, or else we'd have BD for the birthday.  It will wait until tomorrow morning.

I expect no coins from co-workers, and who can blame them?  It's hard to buy for niche people.  However, I'm more than happy with the nice dinner I'll have and time with friends.

It will be fun to see what my father picks out for my birthday.

Here's the ones I picked out for myself.  I had purchased some moderately expensive coins of late, and my budget wasn't that high.  I set out to find a monster toner ancient, and I think I did pretty well.  It's authentic toning and looks pretty much like the photograph.  The dealer description also is pretty close to the mark.  There's a couple of unfortunate old scratches (I haven't looked at it closely enough to see if they stand out in person) on the obverse, but one can't have everything. The coin was under $200.

Roman Republic. P. Servilius Rullus. AR Denarius (21mm, 3.86 gram) Rome 100 BC
Bust of Minerva l., wearing Corinthian helmet; RVLLI upwards behind
Victory in biga r., holding palm branch; P below; P SERVILI M F in ex.
Crawford 328/1; minor scratches, otherwise good very fine and nicely toned with a touch of iridescence
From an old collection, purchased May 1963.

 

I quite enjoy the coins of Valerian II, and this is my favorite mint from the period.  I have more Ant's of him than I do of Senior.  The V2 is nothing too special, just picked because I like his coins.  The Licinius is my favorite of the cheap-o coins.

Valerian II Caesar AD 256-258, AR Antoninianus (22mm, 4.12 gram) Cologne
VALERIANVS CAES; Rad., dr. bust r.
IOVI CRESCENTI; Infant Jupiter seated on Amalthean goat walking r.
RIC 13; flan crack, very fine

Ex col. Frans Pouwel, Netherlands, collected since the ‘80’s.

 

Licinius AD 308-324, AE Follis (26mm, 5.28 gram) Cyzicus c. AD 311
VAL LICINNIANVS LICINNIVS P F AVG; Laur. bust r.
VIRTVTI EXERCITVS; MKV in exergue; S-three dots (?) in r. field; Virtus advancing right, holding trophy, shield and spear

RIC 73; good VF, some roughness on the reverse, with an attractive green patina

 

Ex col. Frans Pouwel, Netherlands, collected since the ‘80’s.

 

 

[CPK]

They're all nice coins, but that first one - wow! 🤩

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Thanks!  The coins are from Gert Boersema, and although I picked out the best of the remaining ones within that price range, there are several left with the same type of old toning.  Expect to wait about 3 weeks, but that's a pretty minor price to pay.

I was pleased to have a first-time buy work out well, but other than Opisthodomos (and I was one of the few to receive coins - and they were quite nice, for the price), I've had 99% positive experiences from vcoins' dealers.

Coins don't have to be expensive.  One can string together a halfway decent collection of attractive coins of sub-$200, if one is careful.  The other coins weren't meant to be spectacular.  They were merely the equivalent of bubble gum at the checkout counter.  The patina of the Licinius is what hooked me.  In person, it's a darker forest green, but quite delightful for a relative pittance.

[Orange Julius]

Nice! I really like the denarius, that’s a beauty! Also, any coin with a goat 🐐 is a must have (although I don’t have one… yet) and that Licinius is a pretty green with a more interesting reverse than many of his coins. A good haul!

[Ryro]

Great way to treat yourself my dude! Really fun coins. 

The excellent shape, superior translucent toning, cool portrait are mesmerizing!

My M Servilius pales in comparison. Though does still sporta pretty rad fight scene on back:

M. Servilius AR Denarius. Rome, 100 BC. Helmeted head of Roma right; control mark Є behind / Two warriors, a Roman and a barbarian, fighting on foot, each with a horse behind him; M•SERVEILI•C•[F] V in two lines in exergue. Crawford 327/1; RSC Servilia 13. 3.47g, 20mm, 6h. Banker's marks. Purchased from Savoca April 2022

Oh, aaaand...

 

 

[Postvmvs]

Nice coins and happy birthday!

Infant Jupiter on a goat is one of my favorite types. The example I have is a fourree:

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Those coins both have their respective charms.  That is indeed a pretty rad fight scene!

 

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

 After some adventures trying to get them out, they're in flips.  It took about 10 minutes to get them out.  They're in little baggies, one would think they'd slide out.

Dang, I wish I had remembered to look at the obverse more closely of the denarius, to determine the scratches.  It certainly didn't look at all bad from afar. A neighbor's impromptu leaf burning bonfire distracted me.  My hands are washed now, so very late tonight will be the earliest that I can get it out and look at it.

Why do some European/foreign dealers do the baggie thing? It's rather annoying.  I may have one bugaboo with LAC, but one thing I must say is that they are excellent in preserving former paperwork and theirs come in flips.  The only time where it's been a real problem was when I had two very similar Sasanian coins from Zurqieh.  Almost twins, but a different mint, or was it year?.  I probably got the two mixed up when transferring to flips.

Once out, the verdict is the same as before.  All of the coins are quite pleasing (the Licinius has Ren wax or similar).

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

I received clarification.  The lack of clear provenance wasn't the dealer's fault.  That's how it came from the auction house.  One wonders if it was in a group lot?

[sand]

Happy Birthday @Nerosmyfavorite68.

The Roman Republic denarius has an interesting portrait, and interesting toning.