It's a nice coin. I really couldn't say that it is better than Fine - it's a nice clear Fine to me, probably at the better end of Fine. It's not VF, nor is it near VF. But that doesn't matter. The point is that a nice clear problem-free Fine is actually a pretty rare thing with Legionaries, which are types struck in very low relief, and usually offstruck, and circulated for hundreds of years (many examples circulated for 250 years). So, it looks Fine to me, but a very desirable Fine. Anyway halfway decent price was worth paying for such a coin. Crack it open!
Andrew, I think you make a sound point as usual. I always enjoy when you leave your mark on a conversation. I guess when you add up all the points of the coin and the norm for these (extremely worn, off center, etc) and then the very nice
patina IMO, I see it as better than F. I like your term very desirable F. I think that captures my feelings of it. If you objectively look at it as a peice of metal with some markings on it, then I guess F can make sense.
I almost never buy what I'm looking for, but something always catches my eye!
That's me every
coin show. I was browsing non-ancient dealers. Saw this coin with a few other slabbed bronzes. Asked how much, he gave a
price, I countered, he nicely said no, he gave me another
price, I scratched my
head, tried one last offer, and he shook my hand. Both happy. Love it!
Slabbed grading is pointless. Look at the "fouree" denariius of Vespasian I just bought. It's not a fouree and a very nice example!
We won't talk about that one.
I saw it, didn't look closely, and realized my folly when it was sold. Then you posted it.
I'm actually glad you got it, as I love to see others get great deals. I find you and I are usually looking at the same coins, and it all
comes down to who clicks first.
And yes, another strike against ancient coin grading. Albeit, this one to your great advantage.
