The Perfect Father's Day Gift: Ancient Backgammon

[Ryan Y]

I'm trying to put together an ancient legionary backgammon set, 15 Roman Republic silver coins vs 15 Carthagian/Zeugitania copper. So far I have the bone dice and a few denarii, but I'm hoping to find a single dealer that could fill all or most the order for a discount on the lot.

The coppers are the trouble, I've found a few dealers who have a half-dozen on the major marketplaces but no one who has 15 for less than $100/ea. Quality isn't too important as they will be seeing some use, as long as I can see the horse or a palm tree for recognition I'm happy. Any tips on hunting for these?

As for the silvers, hopefully whoever has the former has the later. The one coin I might pay extra for would be Quintus Pompeius Rufus / Lucius Cornelius Sulla (https://www.forumancientcoins.com/Coins2/60232p00.jpg) but that seems a bit rare. Any coin that depicts Sulla (82 BC L. Manlius / L. Sulla does not sadly) would be worth the extra buck in my book. Anyone know where to find one?

[Molinari]

A fun project!  We actually do not recommend other dealers here since this shop is owned by a very generous dealer who provides the forum for free.  I can say that for your project you will likely never find a single dealer that can offer everything you are looking for, so you’ll likely have to scope out bargains here and there.

[Pawel K]

Great idea Share some pics to the final effect please.

[Curtis JJ]

I wouldn't be surprised if lots of dealers/collectors had the stock. Challenge is figuring out who, since those kind of coins aren't usually worth advertising. I don't know if Forum (here, run by Joe Sermarini) keeps such coin piles lying around somewhere, but it could be an easy order to fill for the right seller. If you really mean that condition doesn't matter, the appropriate coins probably wouldn't be listed (not worth it, not enough demand for low-grade stuff), but worth sending a message.

After all, we're just talking about two low-grade group lots (here's a recent auction lot of 23 Carthaginian AE, these are probably better grade than required: [ACSearch LINK]).

This is actually one of the best uses I've every heard of for low-grade "pile coins"! (I.e., That's what I call the low-grade coins no one will buy individually but pile up over the years if you collect, buy and/or sell group lots, and there's nothing to do but keep them in bowls and boxes and occasionally pick them up and let them spill through your fingers & listen to the sound. Video w/ audio of a couple handfuls from my really bad piles -- too bad even for backgammon! -- turn sound ON: https://imgur.com/gallery/GmgjDd6 OR https://imgur.com/a/DvRT6rM )

[Joe Sermarini]

No, FORVM does not have piles of anything.