Marcus Aurelius silver denarii with a cut in center - a test cut?

[Kateryna D]

Hello,
I am curious what does community think about this coin. Does a cut “destroy” the coin in professional terms? Does it make it not interesting from a collectors’ perspective? What could this cut be? Is it a test cut or something else?

Marcus Aurelius silver denarii, 2.9g, authenticity confirmed.
Legend: P M TR P XVIII-IMP II COS III bare head

Thank you!

[Joe Sermarini]

Damage almost always lowers interest and value. The only exception, I think, is very obviously damnatio memoriae coins of Geta where his name or image is "erased." It certainly is not destroyed but the value is lower than it would be without the cut.

It could be a test cut, or some ancient angry at the emperor, or a mark from the finder digging it up.

[Kateryna D]

Thank you for the reply!
From what I understood these coins are pretty scarce (found only 4 sold through acsearch). What would be the price for such a coin? It holds mainly a sentimental value, but I’m curious whether the assessment I got in a local shop is adequate.

[Joe Sermarini]

We do not discuss prices here. 

[Kateryna D]

Understood, sorry!

[Jay C]

I think it is still a nice coin and I would buy it. Sometimes a test cut or edge split etc makes the coin more interesting. I have an Athenian Tetradrachm that has a full flan on the reverse but a weird edge split. I got it for way less than an EF version without that edge split would be, but for me, it actually enhances my interest in the coin.

Conversely I have another Tetradrachm that is almost split in half with a test cut. It is very ugly but it was ridiculously cheap, however I don't enjoy looking at it so not a good purchase

Hello,
I am curious what does community think about this coin. Does a cut “destroy” the coin in professional terms? Does it make it not interesting from a collectors’ perspective? What could this cut be? Is it a test cut or something else?

Marcus Aurelius silver denarii, 2.9g, authenticity confirmed.
Legend: P M TR P XVIII-IMP II COS III bare head

Thank you!

[Virgil H]

I normally don't mind ancient test cuts. For me, it speaks to the actual use of the coins in commerce and knowing a coin has been used enhances its appeal to me. I also like many coins that show wear. On test cuts, it depends on what they do to the coin's design. Plus, they often lower the price. Here is one of mine. I think the test cut put the price into my price category and it was the first silver coins I could afford from Sinope. I am still happy with it, the test cut enhances it for me. To each his own on this.

Virgil