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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,743 |
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Valued Member
United States
234 Posts |
Hello, wellive collected us and world coins for a while and was thinking maybee I should start to collect ancients. I was wondering if anyone could give me info on the basics. maybee whats some good dealers and what to look for and stay away from. thanks again
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2135 Posts |
I can't advise on reputable dealers in the US but I would suggest you buy from established dealers you know you can return to, if there's a problem. Get some reference books. Don't buy from ebay - fakes are plentiful on ebay. Don't buy from ancient sites in Europe. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Pertinax has offered some sound advice. Buy from dealers you know and trust. If you know of no dealers/sellers of Ancient coins, use reputable dealers from Vcoins.com There are many good dealers who sell on ebay as well. Forum coins and Den of Antiquity (DENANT) are just two that come to mind. However, they are both members of Vcoins as well. Numismall is another good place to browse. Stay on this discussion board, or any other for that matter, and learn from those who have been collecting for a while. Doug Smith, a member here, is prone to say that most collections probably have 10% fakes. I agree with his assessment, but you can minimize this by becoming knowledgeable before you spend your hard earned money. There have been other threads as recent as last week about this same topic. Take a look through the threads and you will find them. Some very good advice offered as well as recommendations for reference materials. I want to welcome you here and hope you decide to stick around. We have a variety of active members from those that have been collecting for years to those that have only been collecting for a couple of months. Even new to this hobby, you will not find it difficult to fit right in. We have serious discussion and we have a lot of lighthearted discussion. Whatever you decide, good luck to you Regards, JW |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Just want to say  to the community. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
I am serving my apprenticeship here in the ancient coins forum and they are doing a good joob of training me up :)
It's a facinating new area to get into, and there isn't much these guys don't know between them.
Welcome :)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
Ancient coin collecting is a very fascinating and addictive hobby. lol
I've been collecting since November of last year. During this time I've built up a collection that I can be proud of. I've also learned so much about history during the process. Not to mention learning about ancient coins as well.
Right now you might want to start reading online material first before buying a bunch of expensive books. Also, look at a lot of coins and their prices as well. After looking at a few thousand coins for sale online, you may begin to see how the prices are. I also researched just about every coin before making a purchase.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
Quote:
Doug Smith, a member here, is prone to say that most collections probably have 10% fakes. I agree with his assessment, but you can minimize this by becoming knowledgeable before you spend your hard earned money. Remind me where I said that. I don't recall that one but I make a fool of myself often enough that it is always possible I forgot that one. I do not believe the fake rate is anything like that high but I do suspect that 10% of the coins offered online are either fakes or deceptive in some way (tooled, repatinated or fixed up in some way that is not described or appropriate. I do hope my percentage of unrecognized bad items is a lot lower than that but I suspect it is not zero. I do not claim to be perfect. I do agree with the advice to buy coins from dealers you have some reason to trust and to avoid spending big money on coins you do not understand. Get the education and some beginner coins (coins bought from dealers that include $10 worth of hand holding service with each $5 coin even if they are selling them for $20). If you are very wealthy, I approve of you buying first coins that cost the equivalent of of a dinner at a fancy restaurant; if you are poor, start with fast food. When your education enables you to tell the difference between the two, you may consider an upgrade. Another beginner advice tidbit that I have said but no one wants to hear is to avoid buying the really popular coins until your education has advanced a bit. Many beginners want a silver tetradrachm of Athens and a coin of Julius Caesar but fail to understand that the demand for these makes them both high priced and prone to being faked so extra care is needed in their purchase. I suggest studying a bit of history and buying a first coin that was issued by someone who was not quite such a big name and whose coins are easier to find reasonably and with less fear of fakes. There will be plenty of time later to get those 'special' ones after you are prepared to run with the big dogs. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Perhaps I misquoted you or misunderstood you Doug. My apologies. Mia culpa.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4973 Posts |
Quote:
If you are very wealthy, I approve of you buying first coins that cost the equivalent of of a dinner at a fancy restaurant; if you are poor, start with fast food. I think that's a great rule of thumb! I've pretty much used that for my coin purchases. If I don't KNOW it's real, regardless of cost (see jw's recent thread about low cost probus fakes!) I ask myself how mad will I be if I just purchases myself a bad coin. Two I weren't sure about lately cost me 15.50 and 8 bucks...with shipping. I'm 80% sure they're real, but if they aren't...oh well. oopps! forgot to say and when in doubt ask about a coin ask the guys (and girls?) here, there is much great advice to be had from them. they'll get you hooked on ancient coins! also,.. watch out for that stevex guy, he's trouble!  Edited by chrsmat71
09/12/2012 8:29 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
I just want to vent a little, while you say to buy from reputable dealers, well I just had my 4th coin, coins, from 4 diffferent Vcoin or Numismall, that have sold the coin or lost it ,or take 3 weeks to get the coin. finding this out after I sent my payment in, these guys don't have any business sense. I don't ebay so I'm limited already....very unhappy with these .......any way so when you can buy Moderen coins any where, we are limited to a bunch ...........Thank you, I don't fell any better, but just sayen...  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I'm pretty new to ancients too--and a lot of good advice has been given above.  If it hasn't been mentioned already, a few collectors here have lists of recommended sellers, which they might share. A lot of good advice on researching ancients and being frugal--but sometimes I'll spend a little extra for a coin I really want. I hope you feel welcome to ask questions on particular coins, because there is a lot of experience and resources here. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
All good advice so far.
If you wish to acquire a nice ancient coin reasonably soon, I would suggest an antoninianus of Gordian 111. They are reasonably easy to obtain in good condition, for a reasonable price. Most dealers of ancients would be able to supply one.
Have a good look around first, across all of the spectrum of what is available, before deciding to buy. In the process of looking at everything, you will learn more about ancients along the way.
I often head to a dealer with whom I have had a trusted numismatic friendship for decades. Occasionally he has poor condition Roman coins in his higher priced junk boxes. Just for fun, I sometimes buy these, just for the challenge to identify them fully.
I also buy quite a few of the fake ancient coins he may have available. Close examination of these provide a good self education against these nasties.
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Valued Member
 United States
234 Posts |
sorry I couldnt respondearlier I've been busy, but I'm gonna take your advise and research before I buy. Quote:
If you are very wealthy, I approve of you buying first coins that cost the equivalent of of a dinner at a fancy restaurant; if you are poor, start with fast food. I laughed  for ever but I get your message. thanks again, Trey.  Edited by StashTreasure
09/14/2012 3:37 pm
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
=>ummm, dude => always keep your head up!!
... sadly, it's all about the $$$$
Edited by stevex6
09/14/2012 9:50 pm
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,743 |
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Posted 09/12/2012 08:46 am
