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 Replies: 10 / Views: 2,355 |
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Valued Member
United States
384 Posts |
Hey,
I love ancient coins and don't have many of them. I wanted to add one quality, gold piece to my collection. My budget is around $500 but can be flexible. Any thoughts or pictures of what, if anything, is an option?
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Moderator
 United States
34419 Posts |
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
Russian Federation
5174 Posts |
I'd recommend something early Byzantine (6th century), they're pretty common and only sell for a relatively small premium above gold value.
I was actually offered a 6th century tremissis (1/3 solidus) for $150 a few months ago (I'm not earning that kind of money yet, so I didn't buy it, but I'm seriously considering getting one of those as my first gold coin).
IIRC the 5th century Roman solidi are also relatively common (there were an awful lot of them made to pay off the barbarians).
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
I agree Byzantine would be where to look.
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
You can get some pretty amazing Byzantine in that price range both for looks and conditions.
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Valued Member
 United States
384 Posts |
Can you guys give me some examples and where to buy them (and what price range they should be)?
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Moderator
United States
34419 Posts |
Quote:
some examples Sure, if you click the link in my original reply, you will go to a pretty good on-line marketplace just for coins called vcoins. Others may weigh in too, but I no longer purchase coins from ebay as I'm too concerned about fakes. As you can imagine, with gold there are no amazing deals, but you should be able to locate multiple sellers of Byzantine solidi. The classic reference guide is Byzantine Coins and Their Values by David Sear. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
Edited by Spence
02/05/2017 4:23 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
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Moderator
Australia
16836 Posts |
You won't get ancient Greek or Roman gold coins for $500. You'd be lucky to find one for less than $2000. Same with Persian/Parthian/Sassanian. Byzantine / Late Roman solidi may not be technically "ancient" (pre 500 AD), but they're the best you'll get for that price. Beware of counterfeits. Middle-eastern jewellers have been making imitation solidi since, well, since solidi were still being made. These jewellery imitations are still made of solid gold, just lacking in authenticity. I'd recommend sticking to VCoins or a dealer you know has expertise in ancients, rather than ebay. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
I'd echo that Byzantine gold is the best for that price range.
You *can* get Greek gold for $500 or less, but you are probably looking at a ratty little ~8mm gold from the days that silver was not regularly accepted as money. I saw a Celtic gold go for about $300 from a reputable seller (Dr. Lanz) but finding deals like that takes time and a lot of homework.
If you want something more exotic, you can usually find a Kushan gold dinar (they controlled what is now Afghanistan and Pakistan) in choice condition for $600 or less. They are beautiful pieces, but admittedly not something I would recommend getting your feet wet with.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Do you consider electrum gold? It has a lower gold content aa it is a natural gold and silver mix...
If so check for an electrum hecte, maybe from Lesbos these are ancient Greek possibly within budget.
Edited by DavidUK
02/07/2017 3:14 pm
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Replies: 10 / Views: 2,355 |
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Posted 02/05/2017 09:06 am
