FRANK ROBINSON SPECIAL AUCTION: SELECTIONS FROM HIS PERSONAL COLLECTION. Dealer Frank S. Robinson will conduct his 113th mail and internet auction of Ancient and Early Coins with a closing date of September 1. The sale will include 448 lots, with low minimum bids, and bids to be reduced as competition permits. Robinson notes that reductions have averaged 15-20% in his recent sales. There is no buyer fee.

This is a special sale featuring, in part, selections from Robinson's personal collection of Greek and Roman coins. Calling himself a "condition snob," he had always resolved to keep for himself "only really good stuff." But after nearly half a century, accumulating thousands of coins, it is time to "decimate" the collection. In Roman times that meant executing every tenth man. Robinson says he similarly picked out about one coin in ten - forcing himself to make choices.

Many, he notes are rare and unusual. As one example, he notes a Dupondius of Vespasian struck over a coin of Otho, with Otho's name visible. The tranche of coins from his collection will be distributed over three sales.

The auction also includes Byzantine and other early coinages, group lots, literature, and a section of items offered at fixed prices

Robinson holds about three auctions annually, and tries to offer a broad range of material for advanced collectors as well as bargain hunters. Catalogs are free; contact Robinson at Box 8600A, Albany, NY 12208; phone/fax 518-482-2639; e-mail frank@fsrcoin.com. The full catalog is at his website, www.fsrcoin.com.