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 Replies: 36 / Views: 4,579 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
I'm not only new to buying coins but buying stuff online and ebay as well. I decided to make a purchase of three coins. I hope I didn't make any mistakes but these coins look real to me after browsing hundreds of them over the last few weeks. I paid $4.50 for two of them each and $5 for the last one. I'm going to try to attribute them once they arrive in the mail so I'd appreciate if no one does it. I only want to know if I made good purchase for the price.    Some of these could use some additional cleaning by the looks of it, but I'm not sure. The first one, not sure because I like how it looks, dirt and all. |
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Valued Member
279 Posts |
Hi I think prices a re enough good,I appreciate expecially last one.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
All three are fully identifiable with readable mintmarks and no questions as to ruler or type. Price/value is a matter of opinion. Coins of this grade generally are not repurchased by dealers for any price so what you get for the $14 is practice identifying them. Most of us who have collected for a while probably have enough coins of this grade that demand is limited. I believe the top one with chipped edge was not worth the price but the other two are better and closer to correct. You did the right thing asking for no help since if they were fully identified I'd value them at less than as they are now.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
You did OK for your first purchase,as others pointed out they are identifable.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I think you did fine. Many of the newer collectors on this discussion board buy uncleaned lots and enjoy the process of cleaning and identifying the coins. My point is that to buy coins requiring cleaning you can expect to pay around $2-$3 each with no guarantee you will have more than a slug when all is done. On average, I would say 40% of uncleaned coins turn out to be slugs or unattributable. So, anytime you can get coins that can be attributed under $5, I think you are doing just fine. Now when you start accumulating a collection and decide which direction you want to collect, then picking out better and more expensive coins may be warranted.
I would say also, that by buying these inexpensive but identifiable coins as a new collector will give you a perspective of what genuine coins should look like. Bottom line: You did good IMHO.
Regards,
JW
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2044 Posts |
Thanks guys. I was also thinking about buying some uncleaned lots from Dirty Old Coins but decided to go this route with coins that have a better chance of being attributed and see if I could find coins that are real and not fake.
Right now, I haven't really decided completely which direction I'm going. Although, I am leaning towards collecting Imperial rulers. I'm going to avoid Roman Republic coins as they seem to be really expensive and I heard about a lot of fakes going around.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
Don't worry about fakes. Just buy coins from trusted sources and never buy anything that seems too good to be true. If the coin shows a rare ruler but is priced like a common one, the chance of it being fake is about 99%.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Doug is 100% correct. If you want to avoid buying fakes, buy from a trusted dealer with a lifetime guarantee. Once you have learned something about what these coins should look and feel like, then you might venture onto ebay and bid on 3rd and 4th century coins eventually working into the 2nd century. But big ticket items should always be purchased from known and trusted sellers. The only reason I generally stay away from Roman Republic coins, is that I know so little about them and I have no reference materials to consult. Good luck, my friend, and have some fun with this hobby. JW |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
Actually, I already ventured forth into ebay. lol Two are from ebay and one is from FORVM. From that first coin you gave me, I see what the coins should feel like and approximate size. Seems like most of the low denominations should be about dime sized to penny sized and also they have a certain look and feel. As far as dealers are concerned. I don't know any other than word of mouth for Dirty Old Coins and FORVM. The seller I found on ebay was a random search and the coins looked good to me. I did a lot of searching and looking around at various coins before buying. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
"The only reason I generally stay away from Roman Republic coins, is that I know so little about them and I have no reference materials to consult." Of all subjects Republicans are well supported online: http://andrewmccabe.ancients.info/http://www.britishmuseum.org/resear...Text=&m=textAndrew McCabe's site is easier to use but if it exists, the British Museum has a handfull to a couple gallons of them and have posted photos online. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Thanks Doug. I may venture into the Republics after I have a look at the references you provided. I know of Andrew McCabe and in fact my Julius Caesar portrait coin was formerly his.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
Ok, a update. I just received the coin from FORVM in the mail and it is nice. I really like it and now I know I got my money's worth just from the fun of it. Of course I know the size of these coins when the size is stated. Since some are so small, I wonder if anyone has ever been fooled by the large photos. lol
I took the coin and placed it a shot glass of 3% HP and it is being cleaned. The details seem to be coming out better but a good portion of the obverse turned black after about a hour's soak. I hope that black goes away. Soon I will be attributing the coin but thought I would post about it.
EDIT:
Ok, I see why it turned black now.
Edited by Gil-galad
11/25/2011 11:44 am
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Quote:
Ok, I see why it turned black now What happened? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
That green patina or verdigris was taken off. But the coin was already black under a lot of the dirt. I will be posting a photo of it later. I'm going to set up my scanner.
Also, I'm having a great deal of problems trying to ID it since the letters are really worn.
I'm finding matches for the reverse in Constans and Constantius II.
What I can make out so far.
OBVERSE:
CONSTAN
?AVG
REVERSE:
VICTORIAEDDAVGGQNN
SMTS? (EDIT)
Thessalonica
Two victories facing each other holding wreath and palms.
Edited by Gil-galad
11/25/2011 3:26 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Does the coin read: Obv: CONSTANTIVSPFAVG - Diademed (rosettes), cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VICTORIAEDDAVGGQNN Exe: SMTS - two Victories facing each other
If so it is Constantius II
If it reads like: Obv: CONSTANSPFAVG - Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VICTORIAEDDAVGGQNN Exe: SMTS - Two Victories standing, facing each other, each holding a wreath and palm
Constans
I hope this helps some
JW
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
I'm letting it soak for a bit longer to see if the words come out better.
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Replies: 36 / Views: 4,579 |
Posted 11/21/2011 6:37 pm
