Great podcast especially with the Trajan denarius. It just shows that attention to detail and having knowledge pays dividends in the numismatic market.
Aaron, thanks for another informative podcast 😊. The "doofus" denarius of Trajan was enlightening because someone clearly over-paid for the coin, however, it was an extraordinary coin. Aside from being in choice mint state, the coin is of the finest style & the obverse die was engraved by a master craftsman. I think a bid of 1,500 EUR for the denarius is justified. Style is often an over-looked attribute in evaluating ancient coins.
Thank you very much for analyzing the example of the Trajan Denar. Artistic merit is probably the most important criterion for me when selecting ancient coins, especially Greek coins. For Roman coins, historical importance plays an equally important role.
@@KZN9378 She told me about meeting you! Very cool. Maybe someday. We don’t do many guests but I can for sure think about it down the road. Our family stretches numismatically.
Amazing episode- it got me thinking more about the quality of portraiture on Roman denarii. I've had a raw Hadrian denarius for years- a smallish coin (17 mm or so), with a dove grey color, but with (to my mind) an absolutely superb portrait. I have searched numerous online forums, and to be honest, I have yet to see a finer portrait of Hadrian (although I am certain many exist!). The facial expression is noble and serene, with eyes glancing upwards ever so subtly, towards the gods. There is nothing 'cartoonish' about the portrait, despite the small size of the coin. To me, it looks like a 'fine style' portrait that would be found on a larger coin (25-30 mm) which the die engraver had much more room to create a noble and 'sculptural' portrait. The reverse is winged victory, seated on a throne. Though the reverse is not as impressive as the obverse, the 'feathers' in the wings are clearly visible. As a non-specialist in ancients, I had always assumed that this coin was worth 150, maybe 200 dollars, but your fascinating video has me wondering! Thanks again for a great episode.
While the episode was quite good, I was absolutely flabbergasted that your wolf/twins coverage did not include the Sextus Pompeius Fostlus denarius of 137 BC. The moneyer claimed descent from the shepherd who is shown on the type along with the tree (with owls) and the standard wolf scene. To me, this type is a great example of what we consider most important and what 'faults' can be overlooked more easily. I never found an example that I considered fully worthy. You value the lack of wear while I would love to see one of these in F-VF with absolutely full legends, bold strike and good style. I know I could not afford it. The hardest part would be a flan large enough to include the FOSTLVS on the left and SEX.PO at the right without losing the ROMA in exergue or facial details on the twins. Bonus points would come if the three owls were present and detailed. IMO this was the best of all wolf coins in any metal. This relatively common denarius was among the first to honor the ancestor of the moneyer (a practice that later became standard Republican practice). If I were to pay 'doofus' money for a coin (beyond unlikely!), this might be the leading candidate. You did not see it worthy of mention?
I've only been collecting for about a year in a half. I started with stabbed coins from auctions. As I learned more, I found I was over paying on some of them. I have since graduated to buying raw coins from dealers because I can avoid the slab tax and buyers premiums. Plus it makes me feel better supporting smaller business and they offer lifetime guarantees. I don't think auction houses do that but I was a Doofus and didn't check. I understand the need for you to sell slabs to satisfy the demand. I will still prefer your raw coins. There is something special holding these thousand year plus old coins in your hand and not the plastic.
@@briank7936 thanks! Totally agree with you. From a dealer’s prospective I always want to have what clients want and to fill those needs. I prefer raw always but will serve the slabbing community responsibly like I do with raw coins.
Slabbing opens the hobby up for lazy collectors. I am not sure lazy people need to be included. This is hobby that requires work which the participants of this hobby delight in. If you want to be lazy and collect coins, maybe collect brand new stuff you can order straight from the mint. And go right ahead and slab all that stuff.
Recently bought a fairly expensive raw coin at auction and sent it to be slabbed and it came back as not genuine. Wouldn't have really cared about the grade so much, but slabbing for authenticity ought to, in theory, make a higher end coin more sellable when it comes time to sell, regardless of grade, which can be subjective and oftentimes is in the eye of the beholder. Perhaps the grading companies ought to offer a slabbing or other service just for authenticity, maybe at a base price, and then pay extra for actual grading. Thanks for another great episode!
Great analysis of that Trajan. I agree, still overpriced for what it is. But I'm genuinely happy to see a coin carry such a premium because of the aesthetics rather than a star from a slab grading company. The new layout is great.
Another great show. Love the new layout. Appreciate all you do for us collectors.
Great podcast especially with the Trajan denarius. It just shows that attention to detail and having knowledge pays dividends in the numismatic market.
I think that Trajan portrait was the best one you have shown out of the bunch. And yes, the new layout is 👍
Thank you guys. I love your show, can’t wait for the next one !!!
Aaron, thanks for another informative podcast 😊. The "doofus" denarius of Trajan was enlightening because someone clearly over-paid for the coin, however, it was an extraordinary coin. Aside from being in choice mint state, the coin is of the finest style & the obverse die was engraved by a master craftsman. I think a bid of 1,500 EUR for the denarius is justified. Style is often an over-looked attribute in evaluating ancient coins.
Another great episode thanks guys great show a lot of good information.
Great show guys!
Another great one, thank you both!
Great show as always
Love the Trajan analysis!
Great video
Tyty
Thank you very much for analyzing the example of the Trajan Denar. Artistic merit is probably the most important criterion for me when selecting ancient coins, especially Greek coins. For Roman coins, historical importance plays an equally important role.
Aaron, I met your sister Shanna at the Madrid show! She is SO AWESOME and FUNNY. You should (I dare say must) have her on your show!
@@KZN9378 She told me about meeting you! Very cool. Maybe someday. We don’t do many guests but I can for sure think about it down the road. Our family stretches numismatically.
@@coinman.ancient can’t wait! And thanks again for yet another great Episode
I was looking forward to this week's talk about the Trajan coin. I had a feeling you were gonna talk about it after I saw that shootout.
Amazing episode- it got me thinking more about the quality of portraiture on Roman denarii.
I've had a raw Hadrian denarius for years- a smallish coin (17 mm or so), with a dove grey color, but with (to my mind) an absolutely superb portrait. I have searched numerous online forums, and to be honest, I have yet to see a finer portrait of Hadrian (although I am certain many exist!). The facial expression is noble and serene, with eyes glancing upwards ever so subtly, towards the gods. There is nothing 'cartoonish' about the portrait, despite the small size of the coin. To me, it looks like a 'fine style' portrait that would be found on a larger coin (25-30 mm) which the die engraver had much more room to create a noble and 'sculptural' portrait.
The reverse is winged victory, seated on a throne. Though the reverse is not as impressive as the obverse, the 'feathers' in the wings are clearly visible.
As a non-specialist in ancients, I had always assumed that this coin was worth 150, maybe 200 dollars, but your fascinating video has me wondering!
Thanks again for a great episode.
Appreciate your thoughts on the Trajan! Nice nuanced dive into it.
@@brandonhord8949 I think you meant Trajan. Thanks so much!!!!!!
@coinman.ancient oops duh, I edited it.
@@brandonhord8949 I have those slip ups all the time!
While the episode was quite good, I was absolutely flabbergasted that your wolf/twins coverage did not include the Sextus Pompeius Fostlus denarius of 137 BC. The moneyer claimed descent from the shepherd who is shown on the type along with the tree (with owls) and the standard wolf scene. To me, this type is a great example of what we consider most important and what 'faults' can be overlooked more easily. I never found an example that I considered fully worthy. You value the lack of wear while I would love to see one of these in F-VF with absolutely full legends, bold strike and good style. I know I could not afford it. The hardest part would be a flan large enough to include the FOSTLVS on the left and SEX.PO at the right without losing the ROMA in exergue or facial details on the twins. Bonus points would come if the three owls were present and detailed. IMO this was the best of all wolf coins in any metal. This relatively common denarius was among the first to honor the ancestor of the moneyer (a practice that later became standard Republican practice). If I were to pay 'doofus' money for a coin (beyond unlikely!), this might be the leading candidate. You did not see it worthy of mention?
@@dougsmit1 thanks for the in put. Why we are a community and if I miss something you can add it here. Thanks for sharing.
I've only been collecting for about a year in a half. I started with stabbed coins from auctions. As I learned more, I found I was over paying on some of them. I have since graduated to buying raw coins from dealers because I can avoid the slab tax and buyers premiums. Plus it makes me feel better supporting smaller business and they offer lifetime guarantees. I don't think auction houses do that but I was a Doofus and didn't check.
I understand the need for you to sell slabs to satisfy the demand. I will still prefer your raw coins. There is something special holding these thousand year plus old coins in your hand and not the plastic.
@@briank7936 thanks! Totally agree with you. From a dealer’s prospective I always want to have what clients want and to fill those needs. I prefer raw always but will serve the slabbing community responsibly like I do with raw coins.
Slabbing opens the hobby up for lazy collectors. I am not sure lazy people need to be included. This is hobby that requires work which the participants of this hobby delight in. If you want to be lazy and collect coins, maybe collect brand new stuff you can order straight from the mint. And go right ahead and slab all that stuff.
Recently bought a fairly expensive raw coin at auction and sent it to be slabbed and it came back as not genuine. Wouldn't have really cared about the grade so much, but slabbing for authenticity ought to, in theory, make a higher end coin more sellable when it comes time to sell, regardless of grade, which can be subjective and oftentimes is in the eye of the beholder. Perhaps the grading companies ought to offer a slabbing or other service just for authenticity, maybe at a base price, and then pay extra for actual grading. Thanks for another great episode!
@@gs8131 agree!
Sorry to see that you've cluttered up the design of your page, and the crawl at the bottom is especially distracting/annoying.
Thanks for the feedback
Great analysis of that Trajan. I agree, still overpriced for what it is. But I'm genuinely happy to see a coin carry such a premium because of the aesthetics rather than a star from a slab grading company.
The new layout is great.
Super interesting as always, guys. Keep em coming!
I don’t like slabed ancients .
Seem like a lot of kinks neeed 2 b worked out
What about the last contest?
@@nathanielscreativecollecti6392 Mike will get to it.
@@coinman.ancient*gasps from under a nearby bus*
It sounds like the king that left Romulus and Remus to die eventually found out that karma is a female wolf.