Options
History vs Artistry, a decision...
SmEagle1795
Posts: 2,136 ✭✭✭✭✭
Over the course of the next few months, two impressive coins are coming up for sale. Each would become my most expensive or close to it, and both are near the top of my wantlist. They represent two completely different sides of collecting: History and Artistry.
- The first is one of the most aesthetic ancient coins, a Kimon dekadrachm, and in superb condition, easily ranking among the finest known. It isn't the rarest overall type but there are only a small number of possibly finer coins (and it then comes down to personal preference). It is incredibly hefty and was minted to pay soldiers, so it isn't entirely lacking in historic value, but that's not really its focal point.
- The second is definitely one of the most historic ancient coins: an Athens gold drachm made from the gold that was stripped from a colossal statue of the goddess Athena in the Parthenon, striking it into coins to pay the army. This happened one time earlier in Athenian history as well but all of the coins are exceptionally rare. It's not particularly attractive but it makes up for its looks with its history.
Realistically, I could possibly try to buy both, but I feel like it would be best to go "all in" on one, rather than leave empty handed. Option #3 would be to skip both and look for less expensive alternatives to increase the breadth of my collection. There are a myriad of other quality coins coming up but I've been first trying to acquire coins that are difficult to acquire.
It does prompt the decision of "History vs Artistry". Art, while subjective, is immediately recognizable as aesthetic whereas history always requires an explanation. I've kept my collection fairly balanced at this point between art/history but either of these coins will swing it one way or the other, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
I'm not 100% decided either way but do have a gut feeling, although I'm curious as to what the broader forum's opinion is!
- The first is one of the most aesthetic ancient coins, a Kimon dekadrachm, and in superb condition, easily ranking among the finest known. It isn't the rarest overall type but there are only a small number of possibly finer coins (and it then comes down to personal preference). It is incredibly hefty and was minted to pay soldiers, so it isn't entirely lacking in historic value, but that's not really its focal point.
- The second is definitely one of the most historic ancient coins: an Athens gold drachm made from the gold that was stripped from a colossal statue of the goddess Athena in the Parthenon, striking it into coins to pay the army. This happened one time earlier in Athenian history as well but all of the coins are exceptionally rare. It's not particularly attractive but it makes up for its looks with its history.
Realistically, I could possibly try to buy both, but I feel like it would be best to go "all in" on one, rather than leave empty handed. Option #3 would be to skip both and look for less expensive alternatives to increase the breadth of my collection. There are a myriad of other quality coins coming up but I've been first trying to acquire coins that are difficult to acquire.
It does prompt the decision of "History vs Artistry". Art, while subjective, is immediately recognizable as aesthetic whereas history always requires an explanation. I've kept my collection fairly balanced at this point between art/history but either of these coins will swing it one way or the other, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
I'm not 100% decided either way but do have a gut feeling, although I'm curious as to what the broader forum's opinion is!
Learn about our world's shared history told through the first millennium of coinage: Colosseo Collection
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Taler Custom Set
Ancient Custom Set
Good luck.
EVP
How does one get a hater to stop hating?
I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com
However, if you have a passionate feeling about the latter coin's particular history, and buzz off to any future disposition of the coin except maybe to a cultural institution (sort of the way I feel about many of my items), then, there you go.
DPOTD
World Collection
British Collection
German States Collection
One of my goal coins would be a 1/8 stavraton coin of Constantine XI, the last Byzantine emperor, and for whom siege coinage was minted by melting down the silver relics of Hagia Sophia to pay the Italian mercenaries. There was a hoard of about 100 of these found in the 90s (previously there were 3-4 known) but prices have exploded since the sale of that hoard, and even a poor example is worth north of $25,000. The coin itself is one of the most miserable ugly coins you'll ever see, and I want one!
Rare coins and beautiful coins will always have a market. I suspect beautiful coins will weather market swings and changing collector tastes better, and are this the better buy.
Based on your collecting acumen I'm confident you'll end up with a great coin either way.
With that said, I think EVP's suggestion to go 'all in' on the first and then decide on the second might be worth consideration.
found this link:
gold stater Lachares
Option 1 would probably be my choice.
<< <i>Thanks for your feedback, everyone! I've gotten word that the first coin, the Kimon dekadrachm, may have an excessively high reserve on it... so that may end up making the choice for me. I'll post about the outcome when all of the dust settles! >>
I know I'm of the minority opinion here, but you shouldn't fight Karma!
your mouth watering website presents the better than museum quality pieces that you have in stunning detail with wonderful to read write ups, I've shared the website with many people and they are gobsmacked
if the reserve is too high for you on that piece well the second piece sounds like a great prize as well, I was not aware such an animal existed
either way I'll be excited to read your informative post that will follow when you have it all ready to go whichever piece you do end up winning
<< <i>Value-wise, I would go for the artistic piece. Passing it on should never be a problem.
However, if you have a passionate feeling about the latter coin's particular history, and buzz off to any future disposition of the coin except maybe to a cultural institution (sort of the way I feel about many of my items), then, there you go. >>
+1
Tom
for sure!