lets try and see who has that oldest coin justsimply take a picture of the coin and tell us the year you dont get a prize for winning i have always wanted to se how long coins have been made her is my oldest coin
This is my oldest, but I wonder if you meant oldest U.S. Coin? I like the one above QUITE A BIT. It's got that freshly minted look.
I still say you toning guys should check out hard green patinas on some ancients. I am not sure you would go back to the "fresh" patinas of modern coinage. Its a scarce patina that takes centuries to form under the right circumstances. Here is an example courtesy or Ardatirion, though I have seen many much more vivid and electric: http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=190659
I wish I was better with photos, I have an anonymous byzantine I hold my breath every time I pull it out its that appealing, (to me at least). http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=190659Here is a better example that shows the color better. This appears a little chalky, but the good ones are this color and glossy, highlighting the devices and lettering beautifully.
To the OP, not meaning to derail the thread. My oldest is a 6th century BC silver coin. I do not have any 7th century BC coins yet. Those are the oldest known coins.
This is the coin that might push you over the edge, gbroke. Not mine by the way, I tried to buy this last month, put in several bids, but lost it at a level that I just wasn't comfortable bidding. But wow on the appeal. Best part of this coin is the guy riding the dolphin with a goblet of wine in his hand. Definitely the best way to spend a happy hour.
haha, now that is cool. I would like to get into ancients, but I can barely keep track of my U.S. and German collection. I digress...I love that reverse. If he was riding a narwhal I would be sold.
Noob ancient question. What is the composition? Is it fair to say most ancients were struck on some sort of silver?
Most ancients were struck on copper, (or bronze or brass), next most common is silver, then gold, then electrum. Think of US coins 100 years ago and its similar, the cheap coins, (copper), most numerous, then silver, and gold was unusual to an extent. The patinas I refer to are on copper coins.
I believe my oldest coin is from something like the third century BC. Unfortunately, my numismatic photography skills are nonexistent, and I don't have outside pictures handy of any of them. I also have a bunch of Roman silver dating from roughly the first century BC to the third century AD.
I like the coin, its the grade that makes me sad in my pants a little. I am just very disappointed NGC chooses to make up their own grading scale in regards to ancients, and this is just horribly confusing to new collectors. They got the denomination wrong, they got the grade horribly wrong, I am shocked they actually list the correct emperor. I am not denigrating your coin Robec, I am denigrating NGC and David Vagi who now works for them and does this grading. Chris