How Would You Grade This Ancient Coin

[Al Kowsky]

[coinsandmedals]

I can’t help with the grade, but that is an impressive coin! 

[JKK]

That's a beauty. I'm not an expert on mint state ancient gold, but if I had to assign a grade I'd say MS-63 would be conservative and MS-65 was probable. Not sure how they assess the higher grades when it comes to a coin like that.

Got to hammer for five figures at the very least.

[physics-fan3.14]

NGC Does not use numbers for grading ancient coins. The levels are "MS", "Choice MS", and "Gem MS"

Yours would probably make Choice MS. 

[Al Kowsky]

The gold solidus of Zeno sold for $2,100.00 at the NFA auction. For comparison see the photos below of a gold solidus of Theodosius II that NGC slabbed for me. I believe my coin of Zeno is equal in grade to the solidus of Theodosius II, but the quality of the dies are superior. To my knowledge the coin of Zeno is unique.

[MarkFeld]

The images appear to be overly bright and make it difficult to provide a meaningful grade assessment.

[Al Kowsky]

The coin is proof-like & the color is accurate. You determine wear from the high points.

[MarkFeld]

5 hours ago, Al Kowsky said:

The coin is proof-like & the color is accurate. You determine wear from the high points.

If that was in reply to my previous post, I know how to grade coins.

The condition of the portion of the surfaces apart from the high points is usually relevant, as well.

 

 

[Just Bob]

20 hours ago, MarkFeld said:

I know how to grade coins.

Well, now, there's an understatement.

[Jade Collection]

send it in to NGC and let us know!

[Al Kowsky]

Mark Feld, I didn't mean to ruffle your feathers, I was just stating the obvious. Of course determining the grade from a photo alone is impossible, however, with accurate photos most collectors & dealers can give a good "guesstimate". That's all I was looking for. I will send this coin along with a few others to NGC for grading & will post the results when available. 

[MarkFeld]

29 minutes ago, Al Kowsky said:

Mark Feld, I didn't mean to ruffle your feathers, I was just stating the obvious. Of course determining the grade from a photo alone is impossible, however, with accurate photos most collectors & dealers can give a good "guesstimate". That's all I was looking for. I will send this coin along with a few others to NGC for grading & will post the results when available. 

In general, I agree about guesstimates - at least for many coins, other than Proofs. However, the coin in question (and/or the image) is bright and it's impossible to get a good look at the surfaces. It appears to be at least AU, but for all I know, it's hairlined and/or has been cleaned, but that's not apparent in the pictures.

Best of luck and please let us know the result.