| Author |
 Replies: 9 / Views: 760 |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Italy
620 Posts |
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
2707 Posts |
I'm not into ancients at all, but I'd be wary of anything that comes out of a shop that caters to tourists in high volume.
A lot like visiting "coin shops" in Chinese marketplaces where everyone is selling multiple "really rare" & "unique" cash coins (fantasy issues).
The last example you show is so well centred and well struck (and well preserved)... looks too good to be true.
But again, this ain't my thing.
Coin Collecting... "I'm in it for the money" ™
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Italy
620 Posts |
@wade, these are far (very far) from the tourist centers of Rome. Most of the clientele are locals that need cash exchanges for . . . various reasons; some completely above board - hotel workers paid tips in USD, or other foreign currencies, migrant workers leaving Italy to country X, etc. I go two or three times a week and have never encountered a traditional tourist. There are a lot of money exchanges in the tourist parts of the center; with usurious rates. I posted some of my other buys in other threads; mostly I look for American U.S. silver.
However, I have seen A LOT of fakes in the tourist center. There are a few reputable shops thoughs, ie Moruzzi and Diana Numismatica; legit stuff, paperwork, etc.
Edited by Roma2021
02/02/2023 12:17 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
874 Posts |
The first coin may be fake or at least improperly cleaned ruining it's value.
Second one not worth buying, just junk IMO.
The other coins look genuine to me.
Edited by livingwater
02/02/2023 1:46 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Italy
620 Posts |
@livingwater, I got the impression the first coin was a cast fake, cleaned with a grinder wheel, or buried near running water, something which has largely destroyed the value. It's missing the legend seen on authentic specimens. It had a bubbly appearance under a loupe. Turned me off that shop, but, as I've said on these pages before - a lot is caveat emptor here. . .
Edited by Roma2021
02/02/2023 4:47 pm
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10075 Posts |
Interesting to see that the prices are quite a bit higher than they would be here in the US.
That Caracalla denarius, for example, unless it's a rare type, could be had in that condition for under $100 (quite probably under $75 or even less) so if it were in Euro I would expect that to be between 70-90 Euro here, on the high end. The Geta would likely be around the same or slightly more, again assuming it's not a rare type, although I can't see the price on it in the photo. 140 Euro for the J. Domna denarius would be wishful thinking over here in the States.
Longhorn Coins & Exonumia Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis |
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
563 Posts |
The prices you've shown are too high. The coins (mostly) look genuine, but not great examples. You can get cheaper and better pretty much everywhere. Presumably, though, they are not expecting to sell to seasoned coin collectors.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Italy
620 Posts |
Thank you all for your responses. @John, overall, I have found prices for ancient in Rome to be much higher than ebay. Moruzzi is THE storefront dealer in Rome and his prices are high. https://www.moruzzinumismatica.net/I think it's because the collector base is wider. I own a few ancient I have posted under other threads; a Nero bronze which was the FIRST coin I ever bought; a late roman coin which shows the nice debasement of currency; and three Roman Republic coins; two of these were in a collection I bought last week and sold most of off. I think I'll stick with American silver ahaha. Unless, of course, I find a very good deal. Edited by Roma2021
02/04/2023 3:01 pm
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10075 Posts |
Coins tend to be more popular (and priced accordingly) where they were issued, although there are also many exceptions.
Longhorn Coins & Exonumia Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis |
|
Pillar of the Community
Italy
620 Posts |
@paralyse, you're right. I find this to be the case with a lot of areas of collecting. For instance, turkish carpets are more expensive in Turkey than elsewhere; a English chess set is more expensive in England, etc. American items, non-coins, etc., sell much cheaper here than in the U.S. I think the market in the specific country of production is more knowledgeable AND more robust. I suspect there is a higher proportion of ancient coin collectors in Rome than other cities; ie 1/4 vs 1/10. Just a thought, I could be wrong.
|
| |
Replies: 9 / Views: 760 |
|
Posted 02/02/2023 10:45 am
