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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,619 |
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New Member
United Kingdom
5 Posts |
Hi Everyone I am new to the forum and sort of new to coin collecting - new in that I don't know any terminology for coin collecting, but not so new that I don't already have a selection of coins (left to me by my Great Aunt). Sooo, the reason I created the thread. I have recently won some poker money and decided to invest in a few coins for the long term. The older coins are the ones that really interest me the most, more in terms of holding something in my hand that has a piece of history. I've attached an image (I hope) of a coin that I have just purchased from ebay and wondered if anyone could help me out with it's history a little? I know there are a lot of variations of commemorative coins from Constantine, but looking on various sites hasn't help me confirm which mine is! Thanks in advance Mark  *** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. *** |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
 to the community Your coin was issued under Constantine to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the founding of Rome. On the obverse is a helmeted head of Roma and the legend VRBS ROMA, and on the reverse are the twins Romulus and Remus suckling a she wolf. The letters below PLG are the mint mark for the Lugdunum (Lyons) mint. I believe it is RIC VII 252. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
This coin is listed as being pretty rare - nice!
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New Member
 United Kingdom
5 Posts |
Thank you very much for the reply. The listing on ebay mentioned that they thought it was the Trier mint? I think that was what was throwing me a bit. Can I check what the RIC VII 252 means? :D |
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New Member
United Kingdom
5 Posts |
Hi Ben
Where did you see it being listed as rare? I've not spent very much money on it... :D
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Here you go, Helveticas RIC lists. They list all varieties - heres the one for VRBS ROMA. Use the drop down lists at the top to find yours. I recommend you use the mint mark - Cresent PLG. It could be dot in cresent PLG too, perhaps. You'll see under the Rarity heading oyu have R4 (extremely rare) or R2 (rare). This coin type is very common - it is only the mint mark which sets it apart. added value? Very little, unfortunately. EDIT: sorry, heres the link: http://www.catbikes.ch/coinstuff/vr...lf-twins.xlsEdited by Ben
07/30/2013 12:45 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36905 Posts |
Welcome to the site. Congrats and an excellent coin you just added. Great detail.
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New Member
United Kingdom
5 Posts |
Thank you for the spreadsheet, it will be helpful in the future.
As I said before, I'm looking to invest my money and don't plan on selling any of the coins I will be purchasing, but what kind of value would you put on this?
Also some newbie questions
- Which are the rarer Roman coins?
- Easiest way to spot a fake?
- Auctions in the South East - non-ebay!
Thank you everyone, you're all very helpful!
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
Check out the links at the top of this forum. There is a wealth of information there. You may have to register with some online auctioneers to view past auctions and prices. Also check out ebay sold items, it is in the advanced search. You will rarely be given a valuation on these boards. If you review past posts, you will see that spotting fakes is not an easy subject, especially for newbies. The best thing to do is find a dealer that you can trust and who is willing for you to return the coin if you are unsatisfied. If you find something you want to bid for on line, post the photos here, someone will advise you whether it might be fake. A coins value is whatever someone wants to pay for it. I would be cautious about buying for investment, you might want to do a lot of research first. I would have thought that gold would be the coinage to be looking for for investment purposes, there is a lot of fake silver. Bronze is not going to earn you much unless you can spot the very rare and pick up a bargain. I have only been doing this a couple of months so I am going to be a newbie for years yet! Google coin dealers in your area, you might come up lucky. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Heres my insider tip: I learnt how to spot fakes, tell what a rare coin is and built up my base collection by cleaning ancient coins. You have to get into the little detaisl of them - you need to know what an ancient chunk of bronze looks like, how it behaves. And with uncleaned coins, you'll get the common ones only (most of the time, at least). ITts cheap and its fun (takes a good lot of time, good value for money).
Im looking at some uncleaned lots - if you're interested, I might be able to get you some if I can win enough of them. I fancy I see a couple of good lots - I could send you some for the price they cost me + postage. Unfortunately, prices are soaring at the moment - I used to get alright grade for 40p a coin, now its closer to 70p per coin. Theres one fella which sells the really nice coins - he gets more than a quid per coin, but those are reeeally nice.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
946 Posts |
Try the World famous Spink & Son for "auctions in the south-east". http://www.spink.com/If you are ever in London on a Saturday morning, try the Charing Cross Coin Fair, open from 08:00 - 17:00. Direct opposite the Embankment Tube station, across Villiers St. |
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New Member
United Kingdom
5 Posts |
Thanks Ben, that's helpful info. What is the best way of cleaning coins? I'm guessing your average polish is going to do nothing but damage them! I saw someone mention tooth picks on another section.
Thank you Masis, that's really helpful. I'm a 26 minute journey into Kings X, so could definitely be in London on a Saturday. The website looks exactly like the kind of thing I meant too!
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Valued Member
United Kingdom
201 Posts |
Roma Numismatics also do auctions in london a couple of times a year and usually have some superb coins on offer. Personally I buy the majority of my coins from CNG in the states though, they have auctions twice a month. If your buying to invest then you need to focus on higher grade/rarity coins in my opinion and also learn as much as you can about any coin you are interested in. If you haven't done your research sometimes you can pay more for a coin in auction especially when you factor in commission.
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,619 |
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Posted 07/30/2013 10:44 am
