AURELIAN 279AD Silvered Ancient Roman Coin

[ducnguyen]

Recently I bought a coin from Ilya Zlobin. This is the first time I buy a coin so I do not sure about the value and its authenticity. Dear seniors, can you give me your opinion on this?
1) Is is legit?
2) How much should it cost? (I bought it for $200, first because I am a newbie so I want to make sure it is real ancient coin. Second, you guys should check its face, it looks like new, unlike antique item.) I just look up eBay and noticed that about 30 buyers watching.
 LINK: http://www.ebay.com/itm/350967985642

[Victor]

Welcome

Yes, it is a real coin and a nice example. Many ancient coins are in very good condition.

Unfortunately you paid too much for it. Ilya Zlobin ( highrating_lowprice ) is notorious for his high prices. His standard tactic is to put a ridiculously high price on a coin and then take a little lower price, so that the inexperienced buyer thinks he is getting a deal.


Pricing coins is subjective though, I would not price this coin for more than $75...probably quite a bit less.

David Sear, in Roman Coins and Their Values vol III, prices a similar coin (from a different mint) for $55 in extremely fine condition.

Everybody overpays sometimes, I still do myself. Don't let it discourage you from enjoying ancient numismatics...the positives outweigh the negatives.

[livingwater]

It is a nice coin.  But I avoid ebay sellers that jack up the normal price several times.  New collectors beware. Ilya's web site more honestly should be "low rating high price."

[ducnguyen]

What I'm wondering is: (Aurelian, August or September 270 - October or November 275 A.D(. why my coin date is 279 AD. Therefore, my coin has never been used??

[Victor]

that was an error in the listing. Aurelian was Emperor from A.D. 270- 275.

[ducnguyen]

So what year do you think this coin was made?

[Victor]

your coin was issued April – November 274

[ducnguyen]

What grade do you think this coin should be?

[Victor]

I would call it extremely fine

[ducnguyen]

Can you tell me more about how you assess the coin? I think the face of this coin can be uncirculated grade, except the right side of the back of the coin (may be 10% face of whole coin) and the edge of the coin (the same place) has been corroded over time.