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 Replies: 51 / Views: 5,424 |
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Pillar of the Community
 Australia
4411 Posts |
Nonthat is exactly the type of info I need. Thanks!  the hunt continues... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
No problem! Yeah, of the common emperors you can find really nice coins of them for decent prices, just have to be willing to look and be patient. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Quote:
What do you think of this one sel, others? You could probably do better for £30, but half the fun of collecting ancients is the search--good luck! |
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Valued Member
United States
422 Posts |
One would ask why you are interested in Biblicals enworb? For me, my interest in the Bible started my quest for ancients associated with it. I ended up not only collecting Biblicals, but Romans as well, do to their over-lapping historical context. JW, another great poster, told me one time that I needed to have a strategy for collecting, otherwise you'd be collecting all types of ancients with no clear direction. After buying uncleans and other coins really not associated with what I started out to attain, I realized I was doing exactly what he said not to do. Now I'm more focused on what I originally started to collect. My point? Even if Biblicals seem hard to understand as sel_691 pointed out, if that is your interest by all means pursue that quest. If it just something that caught your eye than maybe learning about Romans is the way to go for you. DVcollector is into Greek coins (although I'm sure he's got a couple of Romans stashed some where). I know of other collectors that are into Byzantines. Whatever your interest learn about them via this forum, online resources and hard copy books like David Sears books that sel_691 mentioned. But like JW said to me, get a strategy...and go for it! Just my opinion.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
With the Gordian 111 antoninianus, there are enough of them around for an intending buyer to be picky, and get just the one you want, at the price level of your choice.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
4411 Posts |
Oxos the reason I am turning to ancients now is fueling my interest in the bible and that time period in general.
The original plan was to focus on Judean coins and those more relevant to the bible but The roman coins sel has mentioned have caught my eye. They seem to be reasonably priced for decent grades and I think early on I want to get into a little bit of everything so I can see what I really like. Strategies will come in time I hope.
Sel, If I'm being picky I'm looking for a well centred, well struck, undamaged and nicely toned example? Is there anything else?
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
The grading of ancient coins is different to grading modern coins.
Look out for:
1.) condition (naturally).
2.) Completeness of the flan.
3.) Quality of the strike.
4.) Completeness and readability of the legends.
5.) Lack of corrosion or encrustation.
6.) Competency of the die cutter, by the quality of his work.
7.) Overall eye appeal.
8.) Rarity.
With ancients rarity of the coin is rarely the dominating influence on value.
Any one of these may have a major influence on the value.
Looking at lots of coins will gradually give you a feeling for the value of a coin that may be offered for sale, and your decision to buy it.
In between times posting here in the CCF, spend quite some time trolling around the 'Wildwinds' and 'VCoins' sites, for your own education.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
4411 Posts |
Thanks sel |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
I bought my first ancient of Constantine I half follis in 2005 and at first I was worried about fakes but after a while you will get the feel of ancients. I'm still pretty much a beginner collector of these coins considering how much knowledge these guys have but my collection is growing and soon I should have a large collection starting from early Greeks to19th century coins. I guess that's what happens when you collect blindly and learn as you go.i started with US coins and added north American, then world and slowly worked my way back to ancients. I'm currently working on roman emperor coins of larger sizes. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I have just made up a list of the factors that contribute to the value of an ancient coin.
Get me around to thinkin'...how about a list of things to look out for, and tests to be applied, in the identification of fakes... well worth starting another thread on the subject!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2703 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
4411 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
422 Posts |
Most widow's mites were struck off center. Finding one that is well center and detailed will cost you more than this one is going for. This one has a good patina, not the greatest detail on the reverse, but all in all probably worth between 20-30 bucks. You can always make an offer. All the seller can say is no. :)
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Valued Member
United States
422 Posts |
Here is a widow's mite that I bought on ebay for $28 including shipping. As you can see it has good detail and is fairly well centered. The seller wanted $38, I offered $22 and he met me at $28. Personally, I would hold off for another one with a bit more detail. There are a ton out there.   Edited by oxos
04/07/2012 2:30 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
4411 Posts |
I went to my usual coin shop today and looked at a few of the roman coins he had. I picked these two out and paid $60. They are not the most brilliant coins and I could have done better on vcoins etc but they were there, I had cash and I'm not an overly patient person. I figure I have them at home now and dont need to pay for postage and then wait for them to come across the sea. Do people think I did ok and ID's on both would be great. I believe the second one is Gordian III which is what Sel suggested. The other is emperor phillip  Please help  Thanks in advance!     |
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Replies: 51 / Views: 5,424 |
First Page
Posted 04/07/2012 12:12 am
