Question on Ancients

idunk

I would have an interest in this ebay auction as a gift for someone if the description is accurate regarding the history behind these coins. I know nothing about ancients and don't have time to do the research before the auction ends. Would appreciate any help. Thanks!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/THREE-KINGS-COINS-Own-the-Real-Nativity-Magi-Wisemen_W0QQitemZ200182791064QQihZ010QQcategoryZ33834QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

idunk

Here is the complete link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/THREE-KINGS-COINS-Own-the-Real-Nativity-Magi-Wisemen_W0QQitemZ200182791064QQihZ010QQ
categoryZ33834QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Sorry, not sure how to make it link direct.

lordmarcovan

Linked

This is an interesting marketing ploy for the seller. (I don't necessarily mean that in a bad way.)

Though I collect Roman Imperial coins, I'm rather new at the ancient game, having only been a serious player since March.

And I don't collect Greek, Parthian, etc. These are outside my scope of reference.

I cannot comment at all on the price, or whether or not the rulers who produced these coins were indeed the "3 Kings" of the Bible. I think that connection might be rather weak, but solid facts are not always easy to come by at a distance of two thousand years. The high starting bid is rather strong for such a weak link, but the "what if" conversation-starter aspect of it is interesting.

The seller quotes several references and appears to have fully attributed the coins. I fully believe them to be authentic coins of the period, and it sounds like he probably got 'em right in terms of attribution, but again, they're outside my realm.

For a gift, they might be cool, but I suspect they might be a tad overpriced. (I don't know.) Still, paying a little too much for them might not be an issue if you want to give a nice gift, anyway. These would indeed be a nice gift.

If you have time, PM Josh Moran, aka "CIVITAS", who is a forum member and a dealer of ancient coins. Or if you post this on the World & Ancient Coin Forum, you will likely get better information.

You could get a Judaean Widow's Mite much cheaper, if you want a biblical coin for a gift. (But they're small and bronze and very crude).

idunk

Wow! Great reply, thanks very much for the info Lord Marcovan. I also will transfer the post to the other forum....good idea!

lordmarcovan

Thanks.

Edited my post a little.

This is a cool set of coins, and if he has them properly attributed (his info sounds convincing to me), and those kings could be proven to have been the Three Wise Men (here's where it gets foggier), then it would be an interesting gift.

I'm sure you could probably find these coins elsewhere individually for less (maybe even a lot less?), but that would take time and energy and learning. So if this guy took the time to assemble the set and attribute the coins and includes framable certificates and such to go with the gift, it might be worthwhile.

I for one will occasionally overpay for a gift, if the purchase is convenient, since resale is not an issue.