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 Replies: 46 / Views: 3,096 |
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New Member
United States
7 Posts |
Hi Numismatists, My girlfriend is a huge numismatist, and for her birthday, I'd like to get her a coin. She had once showed me a picture of an Athenian Owl like http://www.xtimeline.com/__UserPic_...50403670.jpg, and had told me that it was a coin she really wanted. I'd like to get her a good copy of the coin, but dont know how to start looking. I dont know how to spot fakes, and would like to purchase only from a reputable dealer. I have a budget of 400 dollars, but dont really know who to trust in this business. I was hoping collectors on this forum would be able to point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance! |
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Valued Member
Canada
472 Posts |
The one from your pic is a transitional tet (about 460-455 BC), quite rare and of the nicest style = not much to see under 1000$. You should sought the later ones (around 454-415 BC), for 400$ you could find something "not so bad" if you take your time...
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New Member
 United States
7 Posts |
Fair enough, but where should I look? What are some reputable ancient coin dealers
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Valued Member
Canada
472 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
VCoins is a good place to look. http://www.vcoins.comPersonally, I wouldn't be purchasing one from ebay since there are a lot of fakes out there. You want to be certain about these kind of coins. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
Oops, you beat me to it. lol
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New Member
United States
7 Posts |
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Valued Member
Canada
472 Posts |
It's a test cut, made it those days to test the silver, quite common on these...
Edited by Dionysos
10/15/2012 7:45 pm
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New Member
United States
7 Posts |
Thank you all for helping.
One last question: I'm guessing coins go on and off market a lot. Since I have a few months before her birthday, to get the best specimen for the best price, should I check every day? Or are prices very stable?
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Valued Member
Canada
472 Posts |
You should check frequently. These being quite common, they appear regularly, but the best price/quality goes fast  |
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New Member
United States
7 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
Since you have time you could also look at lot of examples on acsearch, where you will see what many have sold for, the relative condition, the era the coin is from and when the coin was sold. http://www.acsearch.info/search.htm...=&c=&a=&l=#0Arm yourself with some knowledge but be careful you may end up becoming addicted to ancients yourself, like the rest of us here.  Welcome to the ancients forum. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Edited by DVCollector
10/15/2012 8:32 pm
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Valued Member
Canada
472 Posts |
Got these two (showed them before)... First one paid around 800$...  Second one I was very lucky ($$)   |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
 to the forum beepos. Its good that you have a couple of months to find the right one at the right price. I'm sure your girlfriend will be very, very happy with one of these as a present. Its also good that your asking for advice, lots of people who are not in 'the know' end up being ripped off or worse still buying fakes, the people on here can help you avoid that  Keep us posted and keep the questions coming if you have them  |
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New Member
United States
7 Posts |
Thanks guys, for all your advice. This looks like a really fun hobby- I've learned a lot about Grecian history in the last few hours, reading this stuff. The roman coins look really cool. Looks like I've found a new place to lurk |
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Replies: 46 / Views: 3,096 |
Posted 10/15/2012 7:25 pm
The first coin pictured is a very nice earlier style. Those can go quite high, especially well-centered examples. The second coin Beepos linked is a later, mass-produced owl. Given the size of the cut, I think the price is rather high for that example. Sometimes, it pays to wait until a good coin becomes available. I'll show you what I picked up for $500 recently--perhaps others have examples too?
