Call me Ishmael...

EVillageProwler

... For I think I spotted one of my white whales (I have a tiny handful of white whales that are within my price range, including one already caught). I am desperate to acquire it, and hope to have great news in the not-too-distant future. I can't say more about this, but that I am nervous about it.

It would be nice for folks to share their numismatic white whale stories.

I'll start: the one that didn't get away is an Aelfred the Great penny, S-1057a, graded aEF by the seller and looks great in hand. I also have a liteside piece that got away: the Hayes 1866 MS dollar (at one point, it actually was in my price range but I just didn't price it right).

EVP

NiceCurrency

there was a thread like this on here not too long ago

there's a guy that's a member here that bought a colosseum sestertius of Titus and the guy that created the thread did the 12 caesars in gold coins, amazing stuff

NiceCurrency

here it is
http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=6&threadid=902968

SmEagle1795

<< <i>there was a thread like this on here not too long ago

there's a guy that's a member here that bought a colosseum sestertius of Titus and the guy that created the thread did the 12 caesars in gold coins, amazing stuff >>



That was me with the Colosseum sestertius.

I was very irritated earlier this year when I was outbid (to a ridiculous level) on my other white whale: an EID MAR denarius.

I had planned my bid for weeks, saw the coin in hand, and it ended up going several increments over my bid. I found the dealer who bought it and they said their client was willing to go much higher, which took the sting out of it, but I had sold several of my US coins to allocate sufficient funds for it.

However, missing the EID MAR, as irritating as it was, allowed me to acquire the Colosseum sestertius above. While it isn't an EID MAR, it is much rarer and an awesome story (handed out by Titus to the first spectators to the first games ever at the Colosseum).

There is always an opportunity cost and while it really gutted me to miss the EID MAR, this coin and several of my other recent acquisitions have thoroughly showed me that there is always something else coming around the corner.

NiceCurrency

Have you ever put together a thread with all of your amazing ancients?

You have such talent for photographing these great pieces

MilkmanDan

Good luck EVP, looking forward to the follow-up news.

I recently landed a white whale of sorts, although light side. I'd rather not share details until it's successfully crossed.

Nap

It wouldn't happen to be something sold this morning, an H2 perhaps?



There's also a nice one in Triton

EVillageProwler

<< <i>It wouldn't happen to be something sold this morning, an H2 perhaps?



There's also a nice one in Triton >>



I like H2's. Where did one sell this morning?

Nap

<< <i>
I like H2's. Where did one sell this morning? >>



DNW

mnemtsas2

That Colosseum sestersius is museum quality. I am gob-smacked.

pruebas

<< <i>That Colosseum sestersius is museum quality. I am gob-smacked. >>




SmEagle, I think you made a wise choice.

LochNESS

My white whale seems to be an 8 Kharub specimen proof (Heaton) from Ottoman Tunisia, 1281 AH. There's a guy on eBay who's got the complete set in really nice grade for around $2k. Problem is, I've already got the smaller denoms in nice grade. Can't seem to convince him to sell me the 8 Kharub, and I can't blame him. Haven't seen another in the past three years of looking.

EVillageProwler

Lochness - why not buy the complete set and sell your dupes?

LochNESS

I've thought about it. Many times, believe me. I keep my personal finances separate from my business, and personally, I can't afford to lay out that much cash until the dupes sell (and I'm not going to sell them until I have dupes in-hand).