| Author |
 Replies: 11 / Views: 2,169 |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
933 Posts |
Hello! While I have been collecting Canadian coins for some years, I've always had a fascination with ancient coins. I thought id finally start off by buying this deal, which I thought was a good price (special deal for $167 the day I bought it) Was wondering what you guys think of this purchase and also ask for advice on the best book/resource to kick start my ancient coin collection. I know its going to be a long learning curve, part of why I avoided it for so long lol. http://www.cdncoin.com/product-p/20151209001.htm |
|
|
|
Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
 to ancient coin collecting. My first advice to you is to check out the stick section on Books, Downloads, and Websites. There is a lot of information alone with books and PDF's that you can download. Overall on your purchased you didn't do all that bad. If the coins that you get are in the same condition as the ones shown they would average $15-$20 each. I really have no idea about the value of the oil lamp or if is even genuine. When you buy these package deals you tend to pay a little extra. An excellent place to buy coins on line is Vcoins. Here is a link to the stores that sell ancient coins. https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/an...Default.aspxPost your coins when you get them. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
567 Posts |
Always excited to see a new collector! I also second Vcoins as an excellent place to buy coins, very safe and reliable, and they have tons of dealers to browse, please keep us updated on your progress!
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Feels odd to say welcome to someone with more than 900 posts, but ! To ancients, that is. Wayne Sayles' "Ancient Coin Collecting" - the first book of his series - is a good reference for anyone starting to collect ancients - although some passages are a bit dated given the book's publication date (2003, 2nd edition), with deactivated listservs and websites. Still, there's much useful information overall and it's a fun read. |
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1269 Posts |
Welcome to ancient coins!
I just started the journey back in April but I think I have learned a few things since then. First, read, read, and then read some more. There is a steep learning curve but it becomes easier. There is much variety in the field of ancient coins. Do not worry about finding a focus right away. The best advice I can offer is to buy what you like and are passionate about. Do not worry about people who will tell you what to collect, collect what makes you happy.
Also very important is to find a dealer or dealers that are trusted and that you can trust. There are fakes around and even the experts get fooled once in a while so a good dealer is you best defence. Look for dealers who offer a lifetime guarantee. these dealers will refund your money of your coin is deemed to be a fake. Vcoins is a good place to see what is available and the dealers all adhere to a code of ethics. I would also suggest Forvm ancient coins.
Go to coins shows where you might find a few dealers with ancients. Become familiar with how the real coins look and feel. Do not be afraid to hold the coins, you will not harm them. Another thing, all ancient coins are cleaned. Cleaning is not a dirty word in the world of ancients. Also, get yourself a magnifier if you do not have one.
Finally and most importantly...have fun.
Edited by orfew
12/10/2015 11:28 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
It took me 25 years to discover ancients, but I am glad I did. The drawbacks are it can be easy to get carried away and spend lots of money but every ancient purchase I make feels more meaningful than the rows of modern coins. I buy most of my coins of V-coins, it is a very useful buying tool. I too still have much too learn but lucky we have some geniuses floating around the ancient section, usually happy to give relevant information on whatever we post. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I buy my more significant ancient pieces via public auction.
If there is a lot that I like on the view day, I go home and research similar pieces in any way I can. VCOINS is a very useful pricing tool, when examining similar coins.
Thus armed with the appropriate information I need, I then go back to the auction the next day during the viewing week, and place a bid on any lot that I may be interested in.
Actually, I know as acquaintances in a first name basis, most of the people in the auction series I attend, but I am still treated like any other business customer. The total sales value of their series of auctions in the course of a year, would be more than $10 million.
I don't have any 'inside' knowledge, but I do search diligently for publicly available knowledge related to a lot that I may be interested in, including price histories of similar lots.
Same as buying real estate. Do due diligence before buying. Having an abiding love and interest and in the gaining of experience in numismatics is a great ally.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Still, the great bulk of the ancients part of my collection would be valued at less tha $20 per coin.
This part of my collection would number 250 to 300 coins, mostly in lesser grades, or things like still to be identified items like Islamic silver. You don't have to spend a lot of money to accumulate a reasonably large collection over a period of 10 years or more.
Ancient coins, for me includes coins of all ancient cultures, such as Roman Colonial, Byzantine, Parthian, Kushan, Sassanian and Indian, not just Greek or Roman.
Edited by sel_69l
12/12/2015 02:13 am
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Welcome! I think the most important question to ask is, what do you want to collect? Most on here I think collect the numismatically significant pieces--rare, well-preserved, historically significant, etc. The rest are mostly history buffs and collect significance over value. Although most on here would usually advise against it, I have had a lot of success with ebay lots. It takes time, a good eye, and a whole lot of patience, but unidentified lots are a great way to build a diverse collection for very, very cheap. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I also have a reasonably extensive 'black' collection of fake ancient coins, simply for the purpose of educating myself on how to distinguish apart from the genuine. As a matter of strongly held principle, I only buy fake coins on the knowledge that they are sold as such. That should give you some good background, especially if you get some of your coins via ebay. If there is any doubt in the seller or what he is offering: don't proceed !Calgary Coins and Tesorillo have an excellent and educative articles on line, on how to spot fake ancient coins. Take the hour or so needed to read them. An excellent book on this subject is by Charles M. Larson - 'Numismatic Forgery'. |
|
Pillar of the Community
 Canada
933 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
549 Posts |
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
@ Royal Silver: Being a Canadian based collector, I would advise that the best dealer for you in the whole of canada for ancient coins is
Calgary Coin.
Ancient coins, as well as Canadian coins available.
They have an excellent range of educative articles to read on ancient coins, and you will need a couple of hours to read them. It seems that at least one on their staff really knows his game, when it comes to ancient coins.
They also have a good range of ancient coins for sale on their VCOINS website.
For a good introductory acquisition to the start of a collection of ancient coins, you could do quite well in obtaining a silver antoninianus (double denarius) of Gordian 111 (238-244 AD). They can be bought for a realtively low price in reasonably nice condition, and as such, usually represent very good value for money. Have a look at the VCOINS website for these as well as Calgary Coin website.
|
| |
Replies: 11 / Views: 2,169 |
|
Posted 12/10/2015 10:40 pm
