Not exactly sure where to put this, but this question may transcend the various coin categories, although this is a Greek coin and most
test cuts I have seen are on Greek silver coins. So...
I recently acquired this coin at what I consider a
good price. I have seen these go for way more and the difference seems to be the absence of a
test cut. This is one of or perhaps
my favorite coin to date. Condition is excellent, with the exception of the
test cut. In this coin's case, the
test cut doesn't detract at all. In fact, I have a few others with
test cuts and I like them because it tells me the coin was actually used in commerce, at least in some way. Anyway, I love this coin and am super happy I got it for the
price I could afford.
My question is what is the general thought on coins with
test cuts? Does it always lower today's prices? Does it even matter? Maybe I got lucky, maybe I got a less desirable coin. I don't know. I love it, so no complaints either way.
PAPHLAGONIA,
Sinope. Circa 350/30-300 BC. AR
Drachm (17mm, 4.80 g, 8h). Theoti–, magistrate.
Head of nymph left, hair in
sakkos;
aphlaston to left / Sea
eagle on
dolphin left; ΘEO[TI] above tail feathers. RG 24;
HGC 7, 391;
SNG BN 482.
Test cut,
flan crack, scratches, scrapes. VF.
Thanks,
Virgil