My First Ancient Coin - Yea!!

Here is a list of sellers on Vcoins, you should find something that you like there. If you are interested in coins from the Eastern empires check out the Sassanian silver drachm they are large coins and are still fairly cheap. you can also pick up Roman denarius such as Septimius Severus, Severus Alexander, etc fairly cheap.

http://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/anc...Default.aspx

Maybe a Roman Antoninianus, you can get a good one for around $30


Gordian III
23.6 MM 4.74 GRAMS.

If like me you are quite fond of Greek Silver you might look at this coin. I found it on Vcoins, it's 2$ over your budget but I think it would be a great starting greek silver.

http://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/hol...Default.aspx

Unusual pick for a first coin !
It is a nice example of a later emperor when much of the bronze coins were quite hastily made with little attention paid to quality.

One of the most exciting things about being a beginner collector is the learning that follows. Almost all the people who we find on coins have some sort of story to tell. Some are heroic and some are not so heroic.
Honorius existed in a sort of "Limbo". There wasn't much good about him but nothing terribly rotten either. He ruled for 28 years so we can't call him a complete failure. But given the changing times he found himself in the middle of he seems to have been paralyzed by his own fears and the ambitions of people around him.
If you have some patience you need read The Decline and Fall chapters 29-33

"His subjects, who attentively studied the character of their young sovereign, discovered that Honorius was without passions, and consequently without talents; and that his feeble and languid disposition was alike incapable of discharging the duties of his rank, or of enjoying the pleasures of his age. In his early youth he made some progress in the exercises of riding and drawing the bow; but he soon relinquished these fatiguing occupations, and the amusement of feeding poultry became the serious and daily care of the monarch of the West, who resigned the reins of empire to the firm and skilful hand of his guardian Stilicho. The experience of history will countenance the suspicion that a prince who was born in the purple received a worse education than the meanest peasant of his dominions, and that the ambitious minister suffered him to attain the age of manhood without attempting to excite his courage or to enlighten his understanding. The predecessors of Honorius were accustomed to animate by their example, or at least by their presence, the valour of the legions; and the dates of their laws attest the perpetual activity of their motions through the provinces of the Roman world. But the son of Theodosius passed the slumber of his life a captive in his palace, a stranger in his country, and the patient, almost the indifferent, spectator of the ruin of the Western empire, which was repeatedly attacked, and finally subverted, by the arms of the barbarians.
In the eventful history of a reign of twenty-eight years, it will seldom be necessary to mention the name of the emperor Honorius."

BTW You made an excellent choice for a first purchase
Antonio is quite pleasant to 'speak' with and if you message him will no doubt be helpful in his suggestions.

I would add that combining the shipment with a few others is almost expected. He won't mind if you spend two weeks low balling some auctions !
In fact he would appreciate the attention.
You would be surprised at the things you can win at $5 if you make enough attempts !

Beware of silver coins ! They can be like a narcotic and arouse passions that cause a steady heart to beat too fast.
The beauty of silver can be captivating and can blind a mortal man !

Stay cheap for now
If you must buy silver coins then try and avoid the ones that glitter and sparkle too much .......
They can make a fool of any man.

Bronze has a more sublime beauty
And finding the little gems is the great challenge

No, Arael. The friend I referred to lives closer to Los Angeles, and I live nearer to Riverside. So, same state, both SoCal, but not all that close. I know what you mean though. I don't have any resources near me (no LCS, no Shows, clubs, etc). And that's why I feel so fortunate to have found CCF.

What I lack in local support and interest, CCF and the new friends I've made here have really filled the void. Jack

Sel - Great advice which I will most certainly follow. Thank you for taking time out to guide a beginner. You folks have provided me with solid advice and perfect suggestions for my next purchases.

It is somewhat breathtaking to actually hold something in your hand that is an actual "silent witness" to history. As I follow up on yours and others suggestions, I'll learn a lot about the various emperors, their strengths and weaknesses. My sincere thanks, Jack