Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted September 29 · Member Share Posted September 29 Mother conveyed the want list of realistic emperors/pseudo-emperors to me, and it appears that Trajan is at the top of the list. To get a really nice one which wouldn't break the bank, do you think I should try for the nicest patinated dupondius I could find? The Sestertii were either worn rarities or meh coins. He really liked the shiny Gordy Antioch tetradrachm and the nice Nero/Claudius Antioch Tet (I did too - wish I could have one like that). There's also Antioch tets, I suppose. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor robinjojo Posted September 29 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted September 29 What's your budget for this coin? There is a wide variety of his provincial coinage. His denarii are also available but are pricey in higher grade. It seems that a nice portrait is most important in this case, with grade a secondary consideration. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted September 29 · Member Author Share Posted September 29 Around $250-ish, tops. I have other presents to get, and I'm not Bill Gates. I scoped out some really nice dupondii. They tend to be nice and have good patinas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victrix Posted September 29 · Member Share Posted September 29 17 minutes ago, Nerosmyfavorite68 said: Around $250-ish, tops. I have other presents to get, and I'm not Bill Gates. I scoped out some really nice dupondii. They tend to be nice and have good patinas. You basically can get get any type in that price range. An antioch tet, a decent sestertius, a minty denarius and dupondii easily too. I personally like the Trajan quadrans a lot but personally a denarius celebrating the dacian wars would never be a bad idea to get. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted September 29 · Supporter Share Posted September 29 Does he prefer larger or smaller coins? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted September 29 · Member Author Share Posted September 29 I'm not sure. He has both. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted September 29 · Supporter Share Posted September 29 $250 will get you a nice, sharp denarius, or a good solid as/dupondius. A nice sestertius might be tough to find for under $250 (though 'nice' may be a relative term.) I'd say you couldn't go wrong with an attractively patinated AE. But I'm sure he would appreciate any of the above! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted September 29 · Member Author Share Posted September 29 I've started bookmarking various possibilities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted September 30 · Member Author Share Posted September 30 I asked, and condition is more important than size. I'm also trawling through the selection of silver drachms. This time I'll also not forget ma-shops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted September 30 · Member Author Share Posted September 30 Is one subject to import charges if one buys fixed price coins from switzerland? What's the wait like? A Swiss firm on ma-coins had some interesting coins, but the shipping was pretty high (maybe FedEx?) and there was a blurb about there being possible import duties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted October 2 · Member Author Share Posted October 2 Any ideas per the Switzerland question? Has any U.S. member purchased anything from Switzerland? Is there an additional tax? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor DonnaML Posted October 2 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted October 2 (edited) 38 minutes ago, Nerosmyfavorite68 said: Any ideas per the Switzerland question? Has any U.S. member purchased anything from Switzerland? Is there an additional tax? Yes I have, and the answer is no. There are no import duties on ancient coins entering the USA. And no "processing fees" unless the total value is about 10x what you're planning to spend. I have little doubt that the best quality Trajan you could buy for $250 would be a denarius. Edited October 2 by DonnaML 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAZ Numismatics Posted October 2 · Member Share Posted October 2 If you want something out of the ordinary, look at the various tridrachms minted in Bostra and Cappadocia. Unusual denomination, typically good silver, and typically good style. Very few people own any of these types. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted October 3 · Member Author Share Posted October 3 @DonnaML, thanks for the information! I think I'll give that Swiss firm a try. @JAZ Numismatics, that's also an excellent suggestion. I noticed those and there were a few contenders, but they weren't quite as sharp as the denarius. I might go the easy, safe route and order from a U.S. dealer whom I've only ordered from once before, but had a good experience. This would probably be good enough. If it's anything like the Domitian denarius I just received tonight, the surfaces are probably less porous under normal viewing conditions. I'd say it's a nice VF+. Forum has a nice camel, but with all that's going on in NC now, it'd probably be best just to stick with this. I suppose I *could* get a $500 coin, but it would be rather bad optics to come in with one tiny present, unless it was just something really fantastic. A pretty nice denarius and two Sear books would be a better bang for the buck for the coin portion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIF Posted October 3 · Supporter Share Posted October 3 @PeteB has a Trajan's column denarius that might interest you. The grade may be a tick lower than you want but the type is very desirable and the price is good. http://akropoliscoins.com/page4c.html 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted October 8 · Member Author Share Posted October 8 The coin arrived exceptionally quickly, and looks better than the picture. The toning is slightly uneven, as suggested in the picture, but the surfaces look far better under normal viewing conditions. There were a couple of better candidates from Europe, but Dad tends to like shinier coins, and this one has a well-rendered reverse, also in nice condition. The toned one might be going in my cabinet 🫠. I wanted to go for the sure thing, from a familiar dealer, for the Christmas present. I've only had three purchases from this particular dealer, to the best of my recollection, but all three have been delightful. The throw-in coin (for myself) was a very enjoyable inexpensive coin: Septimius Severus Marcianopolis AE26 11.35g Laureate bust of Severus right Cybele enthroned left, holding a patera and resting on drum, lion to each side. Moushmov 381 I really enjoy collecting the Thracian provincials, mainly for their wonderful patinas. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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