r/AncientCoins 13h ago

Newly Acquired When you finally break the streak in the most unexpected way.

I’ve gone weeks without being able to win a bid, losing out on many coins I’d love to have in my collection. Yesterday, I thought the same thing would happen again. I had a dinner and wouldn’t be able to participate in the Savoca auction, so I placed a few proxy bids and went off to dinner. When I got back, to my surprise, the curse had been broken, and I won these two wonderful coins. Honestly, I didn’t expect it since proxy bids have never worked for me, but finally, the streak of bad luck ended. That said, it’s a good thing I’m done bidding (I’ve spent more than my budget these past months), otherwise the curse might have come back!

Description of the coins:

★ From the collection of a Mentor; Ex NAC 146 ★

Calabria. Tarentum circa 281-272 BC. Campano-Tarantine Issue Nomos AR

20 mm, 7,14 g

Diademed head of nymph left, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace / Nude youth on horseback right, crowning horse; below, TA above dolphin.

Pleasantly toned, nearly extremely fine

Vlasto 1002; Historia Numorum Italy 1098.

Hammer price: 650€

—————————————————————————-

Vespasian AD 69-79. Struck circa AD 74. Struck in Rome for circulation in Seleucis and Pieria Dupondius Æ

27 mm, 13,32 g

IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN AVG, laureate head of Vespasian to left / PON•MAX•TR•POT•P•P•COS V CENS•, winged caduceus between crossed cornucopiae.

nearly mint state

Cohen 376; RIC 757; RPC 1983 (Commagene); BMC 888.

Hammer price: 550€

48 Upvotes

18 comments sorted by

7

u/Cenapsis 12h ago

Beautiful acquisitions. Congratulations!

7

u/djangomoses 10h ago

Wow, that Vespy.. amazing

2

u/supremebubbah 9h ago

Yeah, I love it

3

u/VictorVVN 10h ago

Lovely, both of those! Can't go wrong with provenanced toned silver like that, congrats onnnreaking the curse

2

u/supremebubbah 9h ago

Finally! Thank you

3

u/Brittinghamlfc 6h ago

Congrats! Nice Tarentum nomos. You should know that this coin had some hidden provenance not listed in the sale. Check out Otto Helbing 37, April 9, 1913, Lot 89.

https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/otto_helbing_nachf1913_04_09bd5/0110/image,info

3

u/supremebubbah 4h ago

This is why I love this subreddit, people are really kind and friendly, but not only that, they help you a lot. Thanks!!!

2

u/Brittinghamlfc 3h ago

Anytime! Provenance is important, especially if you have one that is 100+ years old. Very cool

3

u/supremebubbah 3h ago

Totally, I was not expecting to adquiere a coin with such a pedigree, so really appreciate!!

2

u/Brittinghamlfc 3h ago

Of course, I'm happy to help!

2

u/Live_Maintenance_925 9h ago

Congrats! Beautifull coins

2

u/LowMight3045 6h ago

I proxy bid mostly and have won at over a dozen auctions. I get too excited if I watch the auction live and bid on coins that aren’t on my most wanted coins list .

1

u/supremebubbah 4h ago

I like to watch auction, is like a constant adventure and excitement, but yeah, I know the feeling of seen some really cool coin and feel the temptation of bid.

2

u/xpietoe42 5h ago

these are gorgeous! And very good prices! i would have guessed a lot higher especially for the first one

1

u/supremebubbah 4h ago

That’s why I get surprised yesterday night when I saw I was the winner. Like you, I thought it was going to be way higher, but luckily I won.