A coin that I'm pondering buying

[the_Thing ®]

CRUSADERS OF CYPRUS, HUGH IV, 1324-1359 AD, KING ENTHRONED/ CROSS AND FOUR SMALL CROSSES IN THE CORNERS, AR HALF GROS. TYPE OF METCALF # 741 NICOSIA MINT. VF.

[the_Thing ®]

Ok, i'm done pondering. I did buy it.

[JamminJ]

So it took all of 25 minutes to decide! What's the story with this one?

 

-JamminJ

[the_Thing ®]

Hey JJ, well, actually, I had been looking at 4 different specimens of the same coin since last evening. All priced about the same. Hugh IV minted gros and half gros similar to those of Henry II's. You'll notice on the observe in the left field, there is a letter that looks like an "r" (to me), its actually a "B" and the significance of it is not known to this day. These coins are some of the most common in the Lusignan series. I like it because of its mostly original surfaces, if it was ever cleaned, it wasn't cleaned too harshly, and, i'll have to wait till I see it in person, but it looks like it might have a hint of toning.

[JamminJ]

The coin looks a little crusty on the cross side, lower left, but otherwise pretty good.

 

I take it Hugh and Henry were both Capets and kings of France, or is Lusignan their family name?

 

Have you seen a copy of the book "Reading Medieval Coins"? It has an explaination of how all the letters were formed with various punches and why some letters look a little off to the modern eye. It small and inexpensive (insert TJ comment here) but worthwhile.

 

-JamminJ

[TJ]

[the_Thing ®]

The coin looks a little crusty on the cross side

 

I'm beginning to think I'm in a big minority when it comes to this. Personally, I would prefer a bit of encrustation as compared to obviously cleaned. I had spoke with David Hendin about this once, author of Guide to Biblical Coins, and he said he has certain collectors who he caters to who refuse to buy ANY cleaned coins.

 

Hugh and Henry were rulers of the Kingdom of Cyprus during the Crusades. The dynasty itself (Kingdom of Cyprus) was started by Guy de Lusignan (1192-94), hence "Lusignan seires"

 

I'll have to pick up that book. Thanks.

[JamminJ]

 

I fell just a little bad about the TJ comment, bit I could not resist.

 

-JamminJ

[TJ]

 

I fell just a little bad about the TJ comment, bit I could not resist.

 

-JamminJ

That's ok because I didn't get it.

[JamminJ]

Hugh and Henry were rulers of the Kingdom of Cyprus during the Crusades. The dynasty itself (Kingdom of Cyprus) was started by Guy de Lusignan (1192-94), hence "Lusignan seires"

 

Oops, I missed the "Crusader Kingdom of Cypres" inthe first post by scrolling the picture to the top of the screen to get a better look. On the plus side I learned who Guy de Lusignan was!

 

I'm beginning to think I'm in a big minority when it comes to this. Personally, I would prefer a bit of encrustation as compared to obviously cleaned.

 

Sounds like a reasonable decision. The stuff I like best was made hundreds of years later so for me its usually a good choice to pass on crusty coins.

 

The portrait is the coin's selling point, anyway.

 

-JamminJ

[the_Thing ®]

Excuse me TJ, please don't hijack my highly informative, educational, on topic thread.

[TJ]

Excuse me TJ, please don't hijack my highly informative, educational, on topic thread.

Thing, how 'bout calling these Crust-aders coins?

[the_Thing ®]

The portrait is the coin's selling point, anyway

 

 

Yes, I agree. The portrait looks like TJ, but add 50 pounds, better clothes, and some muscles.

[the_Thing ®]

Thing, how 'bout calling these Crust-aders coins?

 

[JamminJ]

Thing, how 'bout calling these Crust-aders coins?

 

I must admit this is funny. Good one, TJ!

 

-JamminJ

[TJ]

Thing, how 'bout calling these Crust-aders coins?

 

I must admit this is funny. Good one, TJ!

 

-JamminJ

[the_Thing ®]

[the_Thing ®]

JJ, I had been looking at this coin, same type of coin, different denomination. But, something just doesn't look right about it to me. I e-mailed the seller, asking if that was a CNG insert in the flip. If it is, that would put to rest any questions about the coin.

 

web page

[JamminJ]

The obverse looks super nice - little wear (if any) and a copmplete well struck portrait. A bit off center but not enough to distract. Reverse looks quite dark.

 

The concern I would have with this coin would be authenticity as the portrait looks just too good. I'd want a second opinion, a reasonable return policy or a very reputable seller. Is this your concern also?

 

It does look like a CNG flip, could the number on the insert ORL-44-6 be used to match it with one of their auctions?

 

-JamminJ

[the_Thing ®]

The concern I would have with this coin would be authenticity

 

As the great Fonzi himself would say...."Exactamundo!!!!" I re-read the description, and its the one that came from Jean Else.

[JamminJ]

Ah, now I see why you asked about Elsen.

 

Elsen delivers their coins in a 2x2 paper envelope with a paper insert describing the coin. The flip insert in the e-bay auction could be from Elsen, I'll dig one of mine out when I get home to compare. If Elsen sold the coin my authenticity concerns would be lessened.

 

-JamminJ