JamminJ Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 In a neighboring thread the question was asked why don't you collect ancients. While I don't collect them seriously I have picked up a few inexpensive coins from local bidboards. Just oddball things that looked to be neat and well preserved which I unfortunately know little about. Being a plastic-a-holic I sent them off to ICG, have a look: They came back pretty harshly graded IMO. I was expecting mid AU grades (US standards) on the first two and low mint state on the last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottishmoney Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Thanks for sharing, somewhere in all of my stuff I have a nice EF-AU Valentinian II, but I haven't seen it in sometime, I may have to go on an archeological dig to find it. My kids have more Romans than I do, they are more in their price range, or rather perhaps their bargaining range(like talking dealers down on Ants from Phillip II for $7.50 each.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Nice coins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 One might be the result of curiousity. Two, a passing fancy. But, three looks like the start of a collection. Nice coins. I wouldn't worry too much about the grading numbers attached to them, they are nice looking coins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hispania Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Wonderful roman coins!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamminJ Posted March 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 One might be the result of curiousity. Two, a passing fancy. But, three looks like the start of a collection. Nice coins. I wouldn't worry too much about the grading numbers attached to them, they are nice looking coins. I agree with not worrying about the numbers. It was more of an experiment to see how ICG graded these compared to myself. If nothing else I learned not to be afriad of ancients in ICG XF or better holders. As for a new collection, I have so many already! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccg Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Nice pieces! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 Nice coins and that's some handsome fellow in your sig line. Info please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamminJ Posted March 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 Nice coins and that's some handsome fellow in your sig line. Info please? The handsome fellow is my son, Augustus Wilhelm, born on April 22, 2005. He's big for his age, a really good eater and just about mastering walking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlueke Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 They came back pretty harshly graded IMO. I was expecting mid AU grades (US standards) on the first two and low mint state on the last. You can't really compare ancient to modern grading standards. A lot of hard core ancient collectors consider ICG quite liberal. There's fewer grades in ancients and a lot more non grade characteristics that play a role. Flan, centering of strike, patina, corrosion are just a few of the characteristics. The grades are typically: FDC - Uncirculated - Choice EF - As struck EF good VF / aEF VF aVF = moderately worn Fine = Main legends and devices are decipherable Good = Outline of the main devices is all that is left Fair = Cull Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamminJ Posted March 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 You can't really compare ancient to modern grading standards. A lot of hard core ancient collectors consider ICG quite liberal. There's fewer grades in ancients and a lot more non grade characteristics that play a role. Flan, centering of strike, patina, corrosion are just a few of the characteristics. The grades are typically: FDC - Uncirculated - Choice EF - As struck EF good VF / aEF VF aVF = moderately worn Fine = Main legends and devices are decipherable Good = Outline of the main devices is all that is left Fair = Cull Thanks! I'm semi familiar with the wold grading standards, especially how choice EF = mint state. However, ICG grades ancients by US standards with a 70 point scale (I asked Cameron Kiefer myself) which is the source of my surprize. I did double check with a local dealer who handles lots of ancients and he agreed the 3rd was mint state*. Really no big deal either way. *Actually he said "I'd sell this as mint state." When I asked whether he meant it was actually mint state or just salable as such, after a chuckle or two he confirmed it really was mint stat in his opinon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlueke Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 Thanks!I'm semi familiar with the wold grading standards, especially how choice EF = mint state. However, ICG grades ancients by US standards with a 70 point scale (I asked Cameron Kiefer myself) which is the source of my surprize. That is really interesting. Why would ICG decide to grade using a different grading standard than anyone other major player in ancient coins? It just creates confusion , especially for newbies who may start out with a few slabbed ICG coins. Also, I'd think the regular standards would be easier to do rather than try to fit ancients into the scale of a large cent collector. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottishmoney Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 Frankly, I could care less what someone in a third party grading service thinks of a coin, the only thing that really matters is that it appeals to me. Someone can say all they want, put it in print on a fancy holder, and still it means nothing if the eye appeal for me is not there. Appreciate the coin, not the holder. Just my IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ætheling Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 I second that opinion Dave. Ancients should always be bought on eye appeal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottishmoney Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 I second that opinion Dave. Ancients should always be bought on eye appeal. Actually Aetheling, I would offer that all coins should be collected on eye appeal and not what someone else thought it "graded", this goes for USA Modern lovelies too. The lousy thing is I really want to collect nice, high grade, high relief Peace Dollars and also St. Gaudens, hard to find them not encased in plastic now though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlueke Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 Actually Aetheling, I would offer that all coins should be collected on eye appeal and not what someone else thought it "graded", this goes for USA Modern lovelies too. The lousy thing is I really want to collect nice, high grade, high relief Peace Dollars and also St. Gaudens, hard to find them not encased in plastic now though. I can remove the plastic encasing for a small fee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottishmoney Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 I can remove the plastic encasing for a small fee I bet you can, the contents no less Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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