To buy or not to buy?

[Mucius Scaevola]

I'm considering buying this Elagabalus denarius from a dealer I know. While I generally trust him, I also know he sometimes struggles to differentiate originals from fakes, and his photos rarely do justice to the coins. This one, however, looks better in person (trust me on that). Based on its appearance (style, shape) and authenticity, would you go for it? The price (150€) isn't exactly a bargain, but it's more than reasonable.

 

Thank you!

 

20 mm 3.34g

Edited December 16, 2024 by Mucius Scaevola

[mc9]

I think : quality always sells, and this is quality. And there are no fees to pay on top.

So i should buy this.

Edited December 16, 2024 by mc9

[Mucius Scaevola]

1 minute ago, mc9 said:

I think : quality always sells, and this is quality. And there are no fees to pay on top.

So i should bye this.

Thanks for your help! What do you think about the style? I‘m not very experienced in this area, I‘m more a portrait hunter and he‘s missing. I‘d say it‘s nice, but sometimes my instinct is quite bad 😉

no worries about the authenticity?

[mc9]

I see nothing wrong with this coin visually, maybe you could ask the seller the dimensions (weight and diameter), just to be sure.

[Mucius Scaevola]

2 minutes ago, mc9 said:

I see nothing wrong with this coin visually, maybe you could ask the seller the dimensions (weight and diameter), just to be sure.

They're inside my post 😉 20 mm 3.34g

[ominus1]

..it lQQks like it was just stuck......mint it is.....(my ears are ringing from the blow..)

Edited December 16, 2024 by ominus1

[Mucius Scaevola]

Guess I should buy it..😄

[JAZ Numismatics]

The style is as good as it gets for Elagabalus, which is pretty good. It's definitely a coin I would buy. Strong, well-centered strike capturing all the lettering, smooth, clean surfaces. Definitely a gem in my book.

Edited December 16, 2024 by JAZ Numismatics

[John Conduitt]

It is RIC 161d.

[Mucius Scaevola]

Thank you! I made the decision to buy. I now want to get more for my shipping money and want to add 1 of these guys too. Or none. Should I wait for a better or not?

 

Macrinus denarius: 19mm 3,98g (quite heavy?)

Maximinus denarius: 20mm 3.09g

 

Prices are more or less in the same range. I want to collect quality, especially for the portrait. But they're all missing yet and I'm not very experienced after Pius.

Edited December 16, 2024 by Mucius Scaevola

[John Conduitt]

If you are buying from a dealer who cannot spot fakes, you probably don't want to put too many eggs in the basket.

[Mucius Scaevola]

4 minutes ago, John Conduitt said:

If you are buying from a dealer who cannot spot fakes, you probably don't want to put too many eggs in the basket.

He can, most of the times. But sometimes he fails, that's life I guess. He has a broad assortiment of coins and not only ancients. He's doing his best, friendly guy. He takes a coin back, so I don't worry that much here, nontheless I try to avoid the stress of sending a coin back. But of course it's the reason why I'm also asking here, to check the pics and maybe there's sth spotty to see directly. For the Maximinus f.ex. I see nothing that worries me. The cracks seem legit, surface looks good and the portrait too. But for Elagabalus, I was quite helpless.

Edited December 16, 2024 by Mucius Scaevola

[JAZ Numismatics]

I don't see any obvious problems with the last two coins. Style and fabric look good, a slightly overweight denarius is not cause for concern. They didn't weight the flans individually. I like both of these coins as much as the Elagabalus on account of strike and surfaces.

[Mucius Scaevola]

Just now, JAZ Numismatics said:

I don't see any obvious problems with the last two coins. Style and fabric look good, a slightly overweight denarius is not cause for concern. They didn't weight the flans individually. I like both of these coins as much as the Elagabalus on account of strike and surfaces.

Thanks! Which one would be your fav?

[JAZ Numismatics]

I've accidentally sold a fakes myself, and I've always refunded the customer immediately. Nobody is perfect, not even CNG or Leu, etc...

[JAZ Numismatics]

1 minute ago, Mucius Scaevola said:

Thanks! Which one would be your fav?

I happen to like them equally well, and when I can't decide, I flip a coin, then buy them both!

[Mucius Scaevola]

1 minute ago, JAZ Numismatics said:

I happen to like them equally well, and when I can't decide, I flip a coin, then buy them both!

I overspent already too much😂 I think I go for the Maximinus, as the overall quality is better and I will find a nicer Macrinus.

[Mucius Scaevola]

In the end, I let my instinct decide and did not buy one of the other 2 coins; only Elagabalus.

 

So if anyone decides that he/she wants one of them - just pm me or check the pics.

[El Cazador]

2 hours ago, Mucius Scaevola said:

I'm considering buying this Elagabalus denarius from a dealer I know. While I generally trust him, I also know he sometimes struggles to differentiate originals from fakes, and his photos rarely do justice to the coins. This one, however, looks better in person (trust me on that). Based on its appearance (style, shape) and authenticity, would you go for it? The price (150€) isn't exactly a bargain, but it's more than reasonable.

 

Thank you!

 

20 mm 3.34g

Overpriced for the style and portrait 

[Mucius Scaevola]

27 minutes ago, El Cazador said:

Overpriced for the style and portrait 

After now checking the usual websites for a comparison, I'd say I get my money back anytime for the overall quality. Could be the best reverse for this type and I'm not worrying here. The only thing that downsizes it is the crown.

https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?lot=765&p=lot&sid=6703

(Better style, but overall in less good shape)

https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=6722&lot=221

(Same as above, with an even weaker reverse)

https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?lot=33247+&p=lot&sid=3624

(Beautiful toning, but let's speak about the eye)

https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?lot=758&p=lot&sid=2122

(Lovely coin, nice lips - but 700GBP?)

https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?lot=2499&p=lot&sid=6295

(Surfaces, overall shape)

 

All plus fees, so I think that my deal is quite fair. At the end it's also a dealer. No need to sell coins if you don't get some profit from it.

Edited December 16, 2024 by Mucius Scaevola

[expat]

That Elagabalus is a wonderful example. I bought a similar type a few months back, cost 70 Euros

[Mucius Scaevola]

59 minutes ago, expat said:

That Elagabalus is a wonderful example. I bought a similar type a few months back, cost 70 Euros

I have no doubts there 😛 Can't say thank you, until arrived 😉 Your's is a nice example too, with a fair price