What's a good Ancient silver coin to start with?

NGC does not guarantee that their ancients are authentic. But if you get a nice ancient in a slab then it really doesn't matter does it?

 

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How could I be jealous when I have barbarian silver?

 

there is some great advice here ipen!

here's suggestion. go to vcoins.com
at the upper right(ish) is an "advanced search" option. hit that.

at the top, unselect U.S. and world coins, check only ancients and enter a price rang of what you want to pay...hit search.

look for something you like. when you find it, comparison shop.

if you found a coin you like described as this...


Parthia, Persia. King Orodes II, 57 - 38 BC silver drachm.

go back to advanced search then take off your price range, and search parthia, orodes, drachm. see what the competitors are offering the same or similar coins for.

 

JK

 

I thought the British phrase was "knickers in a wad"...

You might find it amusing to review the many threads on this site pertaining to slabbed vs. unslabbed ancient coins debate, some of which can even be enlightening. From my perspective, the gist of all of these threads roughly can be summarized as:

1. Most collectors of ancients prefer to be able to handle their coins directly.

2. Slabbing is not a guarantee of authenticity.

3. If you like a slabbed coin, you can usually find a similar-condition unslabbed coin for less money by searching various sites and exercising some patience.

De gustibus non est disputandum.

 

Excellent Latin saying.

 

But you can also find some decent deals with graded, as it seems most ancient collectors overlook them (thank you all for that!).

 

Actually, it is "knickers in a twist..."

 

Yes, I remembered that about a minute after I clicked "Post Reply."

 

Especially with bronzes. If you're selling your collection of encapsulated bronzes, you WILL lose money if you don't break them out. They just don't photograph well in the plastic.

But to be honest, I think you definitely paid the slabbing cost in the price of your coin.

 

Hmm. I could have picked up this gem off vcoins for $95.


Or maybe this one for $170:


I think I did fine.

 

Hmmm, I think we ran ahead and gave him the slip? ... or maybe he lost interest? (I hope not)

iPen had good coin-vision ... he wanted this baby for $100 (so do I)

 

I do not have much silver... but I think I would start with a nice sassanian drachm.

 

Hmmm, YOC may be on to something ... the dude is back with a vengeance!!

Sassanian drachm => $80 Canadian (delivered) ... that's like $8 nowadays!!



Peroz I & Fire Altar Attendants

 

If I saw that for $100 I would be seriously concerned it was either a fake or stolen.

 

While I'm not buying coins for investment purposes, a 99% loss would definitely not be a wise move on my behalf

 

It's always about the money......

 

I owe you a small apology. Looking at auction records, I think I was pretty harshly net grading for what I interpreted as porosity. But if that's just a result of shooting through plastic, then its a decent deal.

 

This one's clearly a fake, right? lol

'Cause if it isn't...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ancient-S-M...625421?hash=item3f59912a4d:g:50EAAOSwMTZWRkPc

 

It's not ancient. I've never seen one like it