I have seen many sales where you can buy "unsorted(yeah right)" ancient coins by the pound is this a good way to start a collection or not even worth the hassle? sorry for error in thread title. here is an example, this is more expensive and with less appealing looking coins then other ads I have came across but is the same type of offer I'm curious about!! http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-Pound-100-coin-Lot-Cleaned-Ancient-Roman-Greek-Coins-win-2-get-silver-/300844632449?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item460bbcc981
The best way to start is to buy better quality already cleaned coins, as you will find them better in the long run.
The problem with buying lots of already cleaned, is that you're paying for the labor, and anything decent will be set aside. They truly are unsorted. Of course any gold or silver sticking out will be put aside. You don't think the seller is going to take time to put a bunch of cleaned ancients in a jar of dirt do you? Be warned, I've done this a few times, and I usually ended up with junk, but I bought small (5 per) lots. I say buy a pound or so of uncleaned. Even if you overpay, you will have a ton of fun cleaning them up, and you can't put a price on fun.
Thanks a lot for the post this is the way I looked at the situation too I just wanted some ancient collectors opinions because I have no clue how to start but wanted to dive into it and I thought that this would be a good start to get 100+ coins for 1$ a piece or so, seems like a fun way to start!
Thanks for the input!, this is the other option I was debating on taking, the problem with this is what coins should I buy and how much should I pay I don't know how to grade or price ancients yet and just need a place to start.,
If you buy and lots of coins like this, cleaned or uncleaned, I'd recommend keeping them small and cheap. Then get an idea of what they are like.
yes I want to find a cheaper lot to start was just using the link as an example, but you do think its a good place to start?
I have never found much worth keeping in uncleaned lots. Yes, the possibility exists to find something rare and worth all the effort, but the possibility exists that you might win the lottery if you buy a ticket. The odds are against you in both cases. I agree with WC. Buy cleaned coins. Coins you know you would like in your collection. You might buy 100 uncleaned coins at $2 per coin and find you have one or two you will keep. For the same amount of money ($200), you can buy several nice coins you know you will want to keep. This is my opinion and you know what they say about opinions. Just like certain body parts, we all have one. Your choice
Thanks a lot I see your point, but I know I'm not going to find a rarity just like "un-searched" Wheaties is always a just a sales tactic, I just wanted to have a base to start with, to get hands on and learn some ancients by sorting the 100 coins and having to figure out what they all are then use that knowledge to find what coins I enjoy, and to spend more of a premium on, to get nicer coins. I guess its truly just an opinion I just want a place to start where I can learn the coins hands on by purchasing some cheaper coins to get started with.
I personally like "the hunt" as I call it, I think it is fun to actually go through the process of cleaning off ancient coins, soaking them, trying to attribute them myself, etc. Of course, I don't find any rarities, but I don't buy them in hopes that I do. I get some culls, but I like buying uncleaned because it teaches me the do's and don't's of the preservation process, I can get them relatively cheaply, it provides a challenge to attribute some myself, and plus, it's FUN!
I agree with the others about getting a nice cleaned coin. You can find some nice Constantine era, or coins of Gordian III at good prices. When I first started I got a few lots (5-10 coin lots) both cleaned and uncleaned, and was pretty happy with them. I also learned a lot by doing so. However, I would only buy those today if there was a particular coin in it I "needed," and most of the coins in those lots I gave away or sold at a loss. You could try all three and get a cheap uncleaned lot, a low grade cleaned lot, and a nice cleaned coin. Edit: Just to add, I have found rare coins, and coins in nice condition in lots, but never enough to make it worth it. Kinda like buying "pay dirt" online. You'll find gold, but not enough to cover the cost, but you'll learn how to pan with it.
Want some nice/cheap romans to start. Check out the "pick bin" links below. Better then ebay lots which are 99% scraps & trash. http://bargainbinancients.com/zen/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=25 http://bargainbinancients.com/zen/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=27
Definitely try your hand at cleaning some ancient bronzes. It's an inexpensive and interesting introduction to the hobby and how many of us were first drawn in. But unless you enjoy the simple mechanical pleasure of picking at a scab, you will not like cleaning coins much. Get some uncleaned ancients, but get one or two from Bargain Bin as well.
