A Roman Coin Collecting Newbie.

Hey, we'll all give our candid opinion on cost vs value. And we don't always agree. Take everything in regards to cost with a grain of salt, more or less anyway. Most of us know that these coins have gone up in cost in the past couple of years, but not necessarily in value. I believe the internet has a lot to do with it. What about the other two coins?

JW

This was the 3rd. It says Licinius on the description, paid 5 uk pound for it, loved the look of this one, crips and clear to me anyways. Let me know about this 1 also...Thanks so much for the feedback and support. Lee.

I think you did alright.

The obverse inscription is off the flan some but the reverse is nice and shows clear detail.

Anytime you can get a nice looking 1800 yr. old for under $10USD it seems OK to me. You could do a lot worse on ebay.

But then again if your patient and can get common coins for 5 or 6 you'll save enough over time for several more.....

Some of these gentlemen here on CC are so good and efficient at identification it makes your head spin.
I don't even pretend to keep up. Just watch and learn.

Your last coin is indeed Licinius:

IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG
IMP (Imperator) C (Caesar) VAL (Valerius) LICIN (Licinianus) LICINIVS (Licinius) PF (Pius Felix) AVG (Augustus)
'Commander Caesar Valerius Licinianus Licinius, virtuous and happy Emperor'
Bust right, radiate, draped, cuirassed, from front

IOVI CONS-ERVATORI
'Jupiter the protector / preserver'
Jupiter standing left holding Victory on globe and an eagle-tipped sceptre, an eagle with a wreath to left and a captive right.

In the right field you have X over IIÒ' - the last character being a bent 'I'. This basically means 12.5 'somethings' - unfortunately we dont really know what the 'somethings' are, at least I dont. Its some kind of denomination.

The mintmark is SMHB meaning 'Sacra Moneta Heraclea workshop B'

This coin was minted between 321 and 324, its RIC reference is RIC VII Heraclea 52.

I'll leave coin 2 to someone else.

£5 for this coin is a reasonable price

"Do I have it right about the clearer and crisper coin the better?"

Exactly. There are many factors that contribute to coin grading but wear is only a part of the equation. What makes a coin appealing to me might be different than to you or to jw. I'd prefer your $9 coin to his $6 one but I'll bet there are others reading this that disagree. We use a term 'eye appeal' but it means basically 'the clearer and crisper the better'. Along the way you will decide whether you prefer a rough surfaced coin with a chipped edge but no wear to a well worn coin with smooth surfaces and clearly outlined major details. My 'eye appeal' and yours may differ. In their wisdom, the Romans made millions of these things so we can both be happy.

I see coin 2 as Valentinian rather than Valens. Count the letter bumps and spaces and realize that if there is a V between the N and the S, it can't be Valens. It is not a bad coin and worth the price, IMHO.

Here is another opinion that won't be popular. Exchange rates are for tourists and speculators. A coin in a London shop will sell for more than one in a small town in the US. I live in a 2000 square foot house that I'd have trouble selling for what you might pay for a 10x10' storage shed in a major city. Five pounds to you might be the same (or less) as $5US to me. Within the last year I have bought coins no better for prices equally high. Coins are only as valuable as their next sale. The last sale is history. I think you did OK and suggest you use these coins as a guide. Don't buy anything that will look trashy (to your eyes) next to these. I don't buy coins lacking clarity and crispness and legends complete enough for complete attribution. That is just my way. Yours?

To be honest I think you have started in about the best place.

The coins of the 4th century are quite plentiful and can be collected for a reasonable price. They are also rarely faked so its a good place to 'cut your teeth'. Most of these coins will be small bronzes but they wont break the bank and will provide plenty of interest and education for a beginner.

If your interest continues then you can move back in time where the coins (generally speaking) will increase in cost as you go. As far as advice on what to buy - I say just buy anything you like the look of to start with, eventually you will get some favourite coin or emperor and will be pulled in various collecting directions. Most people start by collecting Emperors.

Coin wise go for ones that can be fully identified (clear legends, mintmarks etc), these are more fun to research - all of the ones you have bought were in good condition so you seem to have an eye for this already. Price wise you are also about right, average 4th C coins will cost about £1 for a poor one, £5 for good ones like yours and around £10 for very nice ones. These are ebay auction prices, double them for BINs and shop prices, maybe treble them in some cases.

Thanks Jwharper, your feedback and help in the last post was really helpful.
As I am just starting out, I know I am sure to make a few mistakes along the way and a few bad buys, but I am sure everyone has done that and it's part of collecting. I just received 2 of my coins today and I am very impressed, just cannot believe I have something that old in my hand.

Now another question. What should I do to store them in the best possible way. I would like to have them so they can be seen, but also stored away also. Which are the best storage boxes for each coin?

Thanks again for all the replies, really appreciate all the feedback, cannot believe a forum like this actually exists...Lee.