Buy Ancients in Plastic Holders

Another video featuring ancients. Last interview with Vagi cracked me up.

 

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tosh and nonsense

 

Too bad he didn't mention this on the vid (not that I disagree with him): "NGC Ancients is committed to grading only genuine coins, but it does not guarantee authenticity, genuineness or attribution, nor is any guarantee of these aspects implied."

 

Why the heck would they allow someone to be so self serving? Why didn't they let Harlan Berk say "one should only buy ancients from me, since I am the only dealer who sells authentic coins"?

I liked Mr Vagi much more when he was a nice, knowledgable dealer.

 

Therefore worthless in my own opinion...whats the point?????

 

if ever a scam was put in place to con the new collector or random purchaser, this is it ....unbelievable.

 

I just emailed Coinweek with our concerns. I will let you know if I hear back from them.

 

even more...



They've been busy.

 

Ancients and grading and authentication. Good grief, they cannot even get it right with machine struck coins - HTH do you expect they will be on target with hand engraved, hand struck coins?

 

if I ever buy a ancient coin I want someone there I can trust to say it's authentic and to know what a reasonable price is for a certain coin.

 

10-15 years from now I will want a bee coin from the Greek. I understand that the higher the grade the more expensive they get. I understand that part. I just need to know it's authentic and what the correct price is.

 

Bee coins can be found from Ephesus, and they are not often counterfeited in bronze because they are very common.



I like insects on ancient coins also for some crazy reason.

Here is one from Chersonesos:

 

That is the role of the seller. If you can not say that about the dealer you are about to patronize, just walk away and find one who you do trust. If you buy a coin David Vagi mistakenly says is genuine, he'll point out that his disclaimer does not guarantee the authenticity or correctness of their opinions. If you buy a bad coin from any of a thousand other sellers that are honest and subscribe to the standard code of ethics, you will get your money back. The role of the slabber is to make it possible for the ignorant to sell coins to the ignorant. I'd prefer to patronize those who have put a life's work into understanding their subject and who will stand behind their items with a lifetime money back guarantee. Do all sellers do business this way? No, but the ones that someone ready to buy his first expensive coin should. There is no reason to pay a third party for a service that you should be getting for free just so you can buy coins out of the back of a pickup at a flea market. Several of these videos have featured Harlan Berk. The coins he is selling Raw are just a genuine as the ones in the slabs. Did you notice that the coins he was handling were alive and breathing?

 

Did you notice the advice of Sam Spiegal included 'talk to other people'. That is what you are doing here on CT. We also could provide a third party grading service but most of us are too genteel to say outright, "You sure got taken on that dog", so perhaps there is a place in the hobby for someone you trust even if you do not know his name to guarantee that you will pay $100 for a $50 coin. If I were wanting a third party opinion on a really expensive coin, I would send it to David Sear who will offer the same quality opinion and return the coin with a photo certificate rather than a slab that keeps me from seeing, photographing and weighing the coin unless I am willing to pay another fee for a reslab. If you have a Sear certificate issued the first year he offered the service, is it worth less than one he offers today? If you have a US coin in the first version of a TGP service holder, is it worth as much in the market as one issued this week? Do you think this will be different when the ancient TGP companies change their plastic?

 

good points to take in dougsmit. I of course will buy 2-3 books first. then a possible price guide.. not sure they have those avaluable yet ??? the bronze bee's I think I can do. the silver high grade ones I will definitely seek a lot of research and ask many peoples opinions before I buy an expensive one.

 

I am not ready for high priced ancients yet. My max on a coin I spent so far is $375.00 and that was made in 2 payments. I understand the deep pocketed coin collectors will probably laugh at me for this.... but this is my coin budget. that was a long time ago too. the coins I buy now are in the $5.00-70.00 range. times are tight.

 

I do not know of a "price guide". I check recent sales and coins offered for sale to guage what the value might be of any particular coin.

I have perhaps a dozen coins or so in my collection of over 600 ancient coins that cost me north of $375. Most were under $100 and many of those under $50. But, then again, I am a cheap bottom feeder.

 

well. I like detail on a coin but I understand some better detail brings way more money.

 

here is a silver bee coin I want way in the future of Ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANCIENT-GRE...03?pt=UK_Coins_Ancient_RL&hash=item338d0a6073
and here is 1 that has the detail and huge price tag: http://www.ebay.com/itm/IONIA-EPHES...287?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item337f3c8ef7

 

Do you think I don't like detail? Everyone of us want coins with detail. I find a lot with great detail well within my budget. Here's an example of a coin that cost me just under $100:

L. THORIUS BALBUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS THORIA AR Denarius
OBVERSE: Head of Juno wearing goat-skin headdress, acronym I. S. M. R. behind. REVERSE: Bull charging right, F. above, L THORIVS below, BALBVS in exergue Struck at Rome 105 BC
3.92g, 19mm
Cr 316/1, Sydenham 598, Thoria 1

And here is one that cost me well under $50:

CONSTANTINE II AE Follis
OBVERSE: FL CL CONSTANTINVS IVN N C, bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS, the prince in military dress standing right, holding globe and spear, F-T across fields, mintmark BTR.
Struck at Trier 317-8 AD
3.2g, 19.5mm
RIC VII 173