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 Replies: 38 / Views: 3,277 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
I have collected coins for years but really only ever had modern coins, now I think its time to make a step into ancients.
My first thought was to buy some uncleaned coins since even if they turn out common I would not have any of them in my collection yet, but then I decided no to that because condition is really important for me.
Next I thought of Julius Caesar which is clearly everyone first thought as his coins seem to demand a premium.
Then I thought I should start with something from Pompeii...I studied Latin in school and all the stories were based there.
I would like to start with a Denarius if I can buy one in decent condition for less than $100. My question is really who can recommend some nice coins from Pompeii that won't cost the earth in decent condition. Any recomendations or advice welcomed as I am a newbie to the ancients. Edited by DavidUK
08/07/2012 6:47 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36745 Posts |
There are plenty of cheaper attributed ancients to get you started without taking a chance on uncleaned coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
David, dipping your toe in the water with £100?! Thats pretty pricey! You should start with something smaller.
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
DavidUK  to the ancients ... Wow, I like your style => $100 for your first ride on the coaster!! Hmmm, well I could definitely find you a coin within' 15 minutes ... but sadly, you'll soon find out that I'm kinda like the guy that you'd meet along the road who'd sell you a handful of magic beans for $100 ... => Oh, but rumour has it that jwharper can find you an adequate house, a new SUV and a sweet coin from Pompeii for under $100 ... I'm sure that he'll be along shortly => oh, and again, welcome!! ... good luck and have fun!! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
DavidUK, ....to Ancients... You need to make plan and collect what you may like...every time I someones new Ancient I want one....There are Romans and Greek coin and a lot in between. Have fun, just read posts for a while and maybe see the coins you would like to collect, I read posts for mts before I got on this Forum.... Vcons. com and ebay seem like the place to buy....Good luck....... |
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
@Indian gold - yes I agree 100% which is why I changed my mind on that idea and decided to try an buy an attributed coin. As I explained quite possibly what is underneath the dirt could be in very poor condition. @ Ben - I don't have to spend £100 it is about my ceiling, I understand there are coins to be had very cheaply but if they are beaten up and unreadable they aren't for me. Also although I am not educated on the prices of ancients I know Denarius are silver, and £100 doesn't seem extortionate for a 2000 year old coin made out of silver in good condition. If I buy something I want it to be something worth owning...it doesn't have to be rare but it must be well preserved. For Greece I would start with Alexander the great because I love the stories of Diogenes of Synope... But to start as I say I want something preferably discovered from Pompeii or in use there...a silver Denarius would be nice, pre-dating Vesuvius erruption in AD 79 would be good. So which rulers should I be looking for? Are there any stand-out designs that fit my budget and preferences? Any recomended vendors for this sort of thing on ebay or in England? Any advice you would give me before I make a purchase? Edited by DavidUK
08/07/2012 7:29 pm
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
Hi again, DavidUK => hey, my only serious and extremely valuable advice to you is: a) listen to Eng5858 => watch or go back in time and read some of the past threads to determine what type of coins look interesting b) cruise around on ebay (and Vcoins.com) to find a handful of "potential winners" (try to frequent the sites of Ancient Dealers rather than fly-by-night Joes) => and then post your choices, so the rest of us can rate and comment on your picks (amazingly, nobody has ever tried to back-stab me and bid on the coins that I'm asking about) ... it seems to be a gentlemen's game on the ancients side of the Coin World (it's very honorable and awesome dealing with these guys) c) never take stevex6's advice d) always take dougsmit's, SAP's, sel's, DVC's, jwh's, echizento's, oxos' advice ... sorry, I'm sure that I probably slighted a few of my coin-Gods (sorry, my bad) e) never takes stevex6's advice Edit => ummm, I threw-in Vcoins.com just to seem hip Edited by stevex6
08/07/2012 7:58 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
As steve6x said, I am here and will give you my opinions. I think you should spend whatever you are comfortable with spending. For $100 you should be able to get a very nice Denarius, just not one of some of the more sought after coins. I don't think you will find any coins from Pompeii, unless there may be some Republic coins of which I am unaware. Most silver and gold coins were struck at Rome with some exceptions. Instead of trying to find something from a particular place, look for coins struck for a particular person. If you are into first century history, for $100 you should be able to find coins of Vespasian, Titus and Domitian from the Flavan dynasty or nice coins of Nerva, Trajan and Hadrian. Eng is right. You need to perhaps start with a plan. Find an era in which you are interested. Then search out coins from that era. Vcoins.com is a good place to start. Careful with ebay, as there are some unscrupulous sellers. If you decide to try ebay, post a coin in which you are interested here before you buy. We can give you advice on it's authenticity and value before you lay down the bucks. I have a reputation for finding the deals, but that is because I search all the time. If you are patient, you will find those same types of deals. Good luck. We will be interested in whatever you find/decide. Welcome here. This is a friendly bunch of collectors, with one crazy in amonst us. Regards, |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Alexander is a good place to start, I am pretty sure anyone who collects Ancient Greek Coins has something of Alexander. If you get lucky you can find a Posthumous drachm of him for right around your ceiling. The larger Tetradrachm command higher and sometimes much higher premiums. The denarius you are looking for would contain the likes of Nero. His denarius is usually quite expensive, but if you look around you might find a nice Provincial Bronze, AS. Don't forget about the fine art of the Republic of Rome you can find a decent Denarius for what you want to spend. Welcome to the wonderful world of Ancients, hundreds of millions of coins minted over thousands of years in a thousand different mints...with most often each coin having numerous types. You will have great fun collecting and finding a new bottomless pit for your income.
Cheers,
Nate
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Quote:
But to start as I say I want something preferably discovered from Pompeii or in use there...a silver Denarius would be nice, pre-dating Vesuvius erruption in AD 79 would be good. I'm sure many, many coins were buried with the eruption that befell Pompeii and Herculaneum, but I think these sites and their artifacts are cultural property of Italy? It's possible some coins may have gotten into the market from these cultural sites, but I don't think their provenance is ever given.  Please correct me of the exceptions, but I seldom see an origin given for any ancient coins. |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Welcome to ancient coin collecting. As JW stated no coins were struck in Pompeii but if you want coins that were struck during the time of the event than the emperor Titus is where you want to start. With a little searching you should find a decent denarius in your price range. The long reigns of the emperors Trajan, Hadrain and Antoninus Pius issued many beautiful denarius that can be bought within your price range also.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
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Please correct me of the exceptions, but I seldom see an origin given for any ancient coins Generally not the location site unless it was found in a hoard or by a metal detectorist. You can find coins based on the mint though. Rome, Lugdunum, Alexandria, etc. That too can be a collection strategy. Coins from a particular mint could be interesting and well worth the study. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Thanks all you seem a talkative and friendly bunch in the ancients. I have been following some of your posts which has got me more interested in these coins as I see they are not as expensive as I would have expected and there are some nice coins to be had.
My collections have always grown organically, once I have some coins or notes they lead me along different lines. For instance I started with British coins from digging up pre-decimals in my back garden. Then as notes were replaced I built a type then a signature collection.
Then I did proof and bullion British coins for a bit but I prefer raw coins. Then I have made an extensive note collection too, not much left to do on that one really.
I know most of the coins of Pompeii were minted in Ibiza (called something else in those days) I would be nice to say "this coin was dug up from Pompeii" but difficult to garuntee the origin.
Hadrian appeals to me (the same Hadrian that the wall was named after pressumably) so maybe that will be my first Denarius. An Alexander Drachm would be a nice start if I want to get some Greeks too. I have been peeking at vcoins but not always sure what I am looking at TBH.
I will now keep my eyes open and see what I can find out, don't expect me to purchase in a hurry I will have to research a little since I have champagne tastes and want to spend beer money.
Many thanks for the posts, some pictures of your favourites would have been good but just your words have made me get it straight in my own mind what I must do.
Edited by DavidUK
08/07/2012 8:15 pm
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
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I have champagne tastes and want to spend beer money That's odd => Bing, don't you have that saying tattooed on your bicep? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I have the tatoo, but on a different body part
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
eccchhh ... Man, that must really impress your dates!!?  |
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Replies: 38 / Views: 3,277 |
Posted 08/07/2012 6:59 pm
