Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted August 17 · Member Share Posted August 17 My most recent buy to date, the nice Otho tetradrachm, could qualify well for a birthday coin, but it's a bit early. I just don't know what to get. I've trawled through a bunch of stuff, especially London Ancient Coins, and I've seen coins I want, but none so far that are must-haves. As long as I stick with coins of the same size and choose the expensive shipping method at LAC I should be just fine. They have a lot of toned silver and nicely patinated coins. LAC just has so many coins that I should carefully go through the listings today. My budget this time would be around $300. I'd rather get something attractive than a rarity in meh shape, unless the rarity is a rare opportunity. I did search for something I've really, really wanted, a huge year 5 Constantinople Tiberius II follis. The only two which came up were either pitted or holed. I do love the 37-40+mm. facing folles of Justinian I but those might be a regular buy type of coin. I'm always interested in what collectors of U.S. coins would call 'monster toners', especially in republican coins, as well as more conservatively toned pieces (although I don't like faux toned coins). I've come across a few really nicely toned ones, which I bookmarked. I also really like Alexandrian drachms of Hadrian, especially one with a smooth, brown patina. A couple of Hadrian possibilities came up in a search but those particular ones are more of a regular buy type of coin. Has anyone here had any dealings with Pavlos Pavlou? He has a denarius which fits exactly in the 'monster/rainbow toner' category. It's in fantastic shape and has a pretty neat reverse. The only issue; it's of an emperor whom I don't aggressively collect - I think my last non-Alexandrian drachm purchase of his was back in the 90's. Said denarius has also been up for sale for months, if not a year plus. One goal I've had was to complete a purchase for a toner Morgan U.S. dollar and receive it. I'm 0 for 1 so far in this regard. I have the perfect one in mind but it's inexpensive and it would better fit in for the next buy. My interests are diverse; Roman republic and empire through about 300 (I do like siliquae, however), Sasanian, Byzantine (539-711, 1092-1204), Hellenistic silver, large Ptolemaic coins, large AE's. I'm not really into Greek AE's (although I've always wanted a huge AE Drachm from Syracuse), nor am I really into AE Antoninianii. Small AE's are also a general no unless it has a fantastic patina (especially blue) or is really special. For some ideas, here's the buys within this budget level which have given me the most joy within the last 365 days: a nicely toned Magnus Maximus siliqua in nice shape, a wonderfully toned Cassius denarius with a lovely portrait, a nice Nero and Divus Claudius Antioch tetradrachm (although I gave that as a gift, I want a decent one), although I overpaid for it, I really love the blueish patina of the Trajan dupondius below. I'm also a bit of a sestertius nut, especially if it's nicely patinated. I really don't enjoy stripped coins. Although not a rainbow toner (the 90's one has more iridescence), the relatively recent Magnus Maximus siliqua was very pleasing. https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/gert_boersema/25/product/roman_republic_q_titius_ar_denarius_18mm_384_gram_90_bc/2090450/Default.aspx Although the obverse type doesn't do much for me said listing is closer to what I'd call a 'monster' toner. I've never had occasion to purchase anything from said dealer, although I'm sure he's just fine. 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AETHER Posted August 17 · Member Share Posted August 17 Happy birthday! I'm sure u will find something, we always do! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted August 17 · Member Author Share Posted August 17 I forgot to mention; it has to be fixed price. Ebay or coin auctions need not apply. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted August 17 · Member Author Share Posted August 17 (edited) Should I go for the Pavlou denarius? It checks most of the boxes; rainbow toner, great condition, relatively interesting reverse. The only problem is that I'm not crazy about the emperor. I don't really collect the Antonines, save for Commodus. It's probably slightly overpriced judging by how long it's been sitting, but nothing too outrageous. Gert Boersema has some interesting old-collection pieces. I thought he might be in Germany but it appears that he's from the Netherlands. I've had decent luck with coins from that nation. Edited August 17 by Nerosmyfavorite68 Gert 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted August 17 · Member Author Share Posted August 17 I ended up going with one of the old collection coins. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AETHER Posted August 17 · Member Share Posted August 17 1 hour ago, Nerosmyfavorite68 said: I ended up going with one of the old collection coins. Good choice. Nice coin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted August 17 · Member Author Share Posted August 17 I picked one of the nicer coins there (wasn't in the example link). I don't want to jinx it; I'll post it when it arrives. It will be interesting to see what the 1963 documentation is. There's bound to be hidden gems somewhere on vcoins but I just didn't see any must haves within that price range in the respective stocks of my usual go-to dealers. Let us hope that Mr. Boersema will be a new favorite dealer. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AETHER Posted August 18 · Member Share Posted August 18 15 hours ago, Nerosmyfavorite68 said: I picked one of the nicer coins there (wasn't in the example link). I don't want to jinx it; I'll post it when it arrives. It will be interesting to see what the 1963 documentation is. There's bound to be hidden gems somewhere on vcoins but I just didn't see any must haves within that price range in the respective stocks of my usual go-to dealers. Let us hope that Mr. Boersema will be a new favorite dealer. Oh I thought it was your linked example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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