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 Replies: 21 / Views: 2,320 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4944 Posts |
Recently, thanks to steve's ancient coin purchases, I have been looking at buying a couple myself. I will admit, that I know nothing about ancient coins, and would like to get a couple, that are in good condition. I have always been a fan of History, so I think collecting (or just buying a couple) ancient coins could be really fun for me. Here are a couple of coins that I was looking at buying just a while ago. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...t_4058wt_952http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...t_5581wt_952I really liked the second coin, but unfortunately missed the auction.  Edited by Canadian-Banknotes
07/01/2012 12:11 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Neither of the two links show both sides of the coins. Not knowing one of the sides makes it difficult. However, just from what I do see, the first coin sold for way too much. Unless I missed something, a Licinius I with this reverse and in the condition presented seems too much. I own five Licinus I with a Genius reverse with the two most expensive struck at London. Each cost less then $20 including the shipping.
The Aurelian coin is impossible to tell much without the reverse. The cost seems in the ball park for the most part and the obverse looks in fine condition. And of course free shipping is a bonus.
Just a suggestion, find something you like and post it here in time before the auction ends. If you can give enough time, you will get plenty of opinions to help you in your decisions.
I must warn you, however, once you venture into the dark side, you may never want to go back to modern coins. If you ask many of us who collect ancients, we started by collecting moderns. Just one ancient coin was all it took for me . Good luck. And may the force be with you ( a little humor from an old guy)
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
4944 Posts |
Quote:
Neither of the two links show both sides of the coins Sorry, the link I posted only showed one side of the coin. I have updated the links. Both of the auctions had obverse and reverse pictures. Quote:
Just a suggestion, find something you like and post it here in time before the auction ends. If you can give enough time, you will get plenty of opinions to help you in your decisions. OK, Thanks for the tip. Quote:
Good luck. And may the force be with you ( a little humor from an old guy)  Thanks jwharper Edited by Canadian-Banknotes
07/01/2012 12:13 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
To see the reverse of the coins on a closed listing, click on the line "See Original Listing" above the obverse photo. Of these two, I considered the Aurelian a good deal and the Licinius a bit pricey. There are many similar coin is equal condition so you will find one you like. Both Aurelian and Licinius have interesting places in history but many people who want only one ancient will go for a really major ruler like Constantine or Diocletian. All these are common and should be low priced. Stick to your plan to buy coins in good condition. They will be more enjoyable in a few decades when people ask you which were your first ancients of the several thousand you will have bought by then.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
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I must warn you, however, once you venture into the dark side, you may never want to go back to modern coins. Exactly what happened to me lol |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4944 Posts |
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Of these two, I considered the Aurelian a good deal and the Licinius a bit pricey. How do I know whether or not a coin is a good price or not? |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Canadian- Banknotes:  to the CCF World of ancient coins! The first two replies 'on the money' There are quite a few of us in the CCF that would enjoy sharing what they know with with you. I introduced myself to ancient coins by reading a specialist 400 page book on Roman coins, that was written by an ex curator in the Coins & Medals Department of the British Museum. I first started reading it like a novel, but I found it so interesting, that I resolved to read it again, very carefully. I guess like yourself I already had well established numismatic interests elsewhere, and like yourself, I still maintain those interests. My first purchase was a denarius of Antoninus Pius, in good VF with the modius & corn ears reverse, bought way back in 1968, for $4.50. Except for two or three coins, three decades were to elapse, before I ventured into Greek coinage more seriously, mainly because I was slow to obtain the essential reference books. What really tipped my interest into this series was the development of some very useful websites, such as VCOINS and WILDWINDS, and the purchase of a fairly large lot of forged Greek coins. I really felt the need to be able to spot the fakes in this series, and ended up purchasing the forgeries to for my own education. After reading all of the information I could find on faked and forged coins on the Web, and reading that in conjunction with the examination of the forged coins I have, I felt far more confident to acquire coins in the Greek series. If you intend to spend a significant amount on single purchases of ancient coins, you would be well advised to be able to establish good provenance of any coin that interests you, and at least, buy from a dealer with the highest reputation that knows his stuff in ancient coins. I have enjoyed a friendly numismatic realtionship with such a dealer for over 30 years. I always like to have high value coins in hand for examination before deciding to purchase. Due diligence applies to real estate transactions, and it should apply to ancient coins of significant value as well. As a result of due diligence, I have had a tremendous amount of fun learning about ancient coins. You can never learn enough, and you end up adopting a far more academic approach to numismatics generally than you otherwise would have. Edited by sel_69l
07/01/2012 01:17 am
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4944 Posts |
Thanks for taking the time to post that reply sel. Quote:
What really tipped my interest into this series was the development of some very useful websites, such as VCOINS and WILDWINDS, and the purchase of a fairly large lot of forged Greek coins. I have seen the VCOINS site before, and I love looking through, and seeing some very appealing ancient coins (That are way out of my budget). |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
You DON'T to have a big budget to build a large and interesting collection of ancient coins. I have purchased lots of uncleaned ancient bronze coins for as little as a dollar each!
Even currently it is possible to acquire fully attributable ancient coins already cleaned, for $10 or so.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4944 Posts |
That leads me to another question.
How are they cleaned?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
If you are going with the cheaper route for now, I would suggest (if you are going to collect Roman coins), Constantinian era and late Roman bronzes. Many nice ones can be had for good prices.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4944 Posts |
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If you are going with the cheaper route for now, I would suggest (if you are going to collect Roman coins), Constantinian era and late Roman bronzes. Many nice ones can be had for good prices. Right now I don't really have a certain "type" in mind. I think I would like either Roman or Greek, just because I found that time period very interesting. Although, I am really just looking for some coins that really stand out to me at this point. I do most of my coin purchases on ebay. Does anyone know some trusted sellers, who sell some what cheap (under $25) ancients? |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
My reading references for Greek coins is in three layers:
1.) 'Ancient Greece', which is a Greek classical history that covers the same period as Greek coinage. I picked up this excellent history book on the subject for $2, at a Church jumble sale.
2.) 'Greek Coins' which a history of Greek coinage, and is a very scholarly account of the sublect, written by Charles Seltman. (There is an equivalent book on Roman coinage, written by Harold Mattingly, and mentioned in the first of my posts on this thread.)
3.) Two books by David Sear: 'Greek Coins and their Values', parts 1 & 2, which is strictly on the coins themselves with descriptions and values.
Together, they make a very complimentry group on the subject of Greek coinage.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I have sent you an email with a list of ebay dealers I have used in the past and have found to be reliable. Good luck. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
If you're a beginner, I'd start with Roman Imperial coins. Because they are easier to read than other coin, and generally more available and affordable at first. There are a few places you can get coins. ebayVCoins Dirty Old Coins Forum Ancient Coins To name a few. Just to show you that you can find affordable coins for $25 and under.  Theodosius I - $5  Victorinus - $10  Constantius I Chlorus - $17.50  Gordian III - $20 Not saying these are the best deals. Just posting them to give you an idea about what you can get for under $25. |
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Valued Member
United States
234 Posts |
Just curious what compositions did romans, and greeks make their coins out of?
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Replies: 21 / Views: 2,320 |
Posted 07/01/2012 12:12 am
