I May Be Hooked, But What Ancient Coins Stir You?

Eduard - those are amazing - that first one looks alienish, but then a dancing ant also. There are so many ancients that really stir emotions - but those Celts were something else.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

WOW! I really like the Syracuse, Gallia Belgica, and "Little Dancing-man" coins.

 

I've often wondered what draws me to collect a particular area. Of course I am interested in the history behind a coin, every ancient collector I know is interested. And, having taken one too many art history classes, I'm interested in that aspect as well. From time to time one of these will win out and I'll buy a historical curiosity or artistic gem.

But I've come to realize that what I truly enjoy is knowing something that no one else knows. I love getting a coin that everyone else would be unsure of and date to an uncertain period or mint and, using specialized references or knowledge, being able to say precisely when and where the piece was struck. I love working with coins that no one else can handle. I love knowing what others do not.

 

I like roman coins (general collection as Doug says) for their beauty and what they tell of History :





And feudal coins from Dombes (specific collection) for having been struck around the place I live :





Q

 

The Roman coins are very nice. Thanks for the post.

 

I just wanted to contribute with this one before he leaves home :




Severus Alexander with Spes reverse lifting her skirt

- Froggy

 

All of these coins are really beautiful. Surely they have been cleaned some way. Is that appropriate to ask here, another thread, or is the answer somewhere else on the site?

 

Almost all ancients have been cleaned due to being buried for thousands of years. Its OK unlike moderns.

 

Are we talking acetone or vinegar and an old toothbrush (please forgive my ignorance)?

 

All sorts of ways, common instructions.

http://www.romancoinscenter.com/Cleaning/Roman-Coin-Cleaning.php

 

Thank you. The Dremel part seems a bit harsh though.

 

Thats for real crusty coins and such. I dont think many folks do it. Some people goto the extreme & "get creative" so to say and we end up with tooled coins, which are a nono.

Ancients have several different rules then moderns, which is one of the appeals with them.

 

I look forward to learning.

Someone may have mentioned this already, but are there reputable sites you can purchase relatively cheap starter coins from?

 

I would highly suggest starting with cleaned coins. As for sites, Ebay is about the cheapest. One thing to remember. Many people like to say "its in good shape considering its 1600 years old. That is just a load of Bull. There IS no such thing as "good considering its X years old". Condition is condition, and ancient collectors are stricter graders than US collectors. Also, Ebay grades are garbage, choose auctions you can see front and back and grade yourself. Buying one nice XF is better than 20 dregs.

 

I am assuming if a seller has high volume and good rating, then the seller is more than likely reputable and the coins are real?

 

Not always..

Past few months ebay has been getting more and more crummier with ancients. I only got 1 in the last 3 months cause there is so much crap or overpriced stuff.

Check out www.bargainbinancients.com I get alot of coins from that site. They're cheap and very reputable.

 

I just checked ebay out and, WOW!, I will need to save my money and purchase very judiciously.

 

Thats why I suggested the site I mentioned in my previous reply. Dont let the name of the site fool you :rollling:

 

I find this offensive!!!

We got real coins in England

 

There is a lot to learn about ancients and much of it is harder to accept if you already know the answers from modern coins. Yes, all ancients have been cleaned but not all have been cleaned equally well and not all can be cleaned successfully. While all coins may be collected in a wide variety of conditions and states of cleaning, prices favor coins with good eye appeal that look like they have not been cleaned but really they were just cleaned professionally as opposed to mutilated by beginners. I am not a good cleaner and improve about half of the coins I attempt (that means I ruin the other half or should have known better than to try). Many beginners clean coins harshly and love the results but most of us want nothing to do with their finest treasures.

The other thing to learn is that there is nothing equivalent to the Red Book for ancients. As a result the same exact coin might be found in the stock of three different dealers for $10, $50 and $200. We each have to decide whether we want a coin at the price offered or if we want to wait for it to turn up in the stock of a dealer with lower prices or better grade coins for the same price. There are coins that show up in the market every decade or two so you might want to decide skip it or pay up now. Since there are so many varieties (over a million) and no one is trying to get them all you might get a rare coin for a low price because no one else wants it or you might get in a bidding war with three other buyers each determined to get that one and get it now. Mat is right about eBay (and all other venues) in that you never know whether the offerings will be overpriced, bargains, garbage or gems from one day to the next. Some dealers do figure that they can offer a bunch of $20 coins for $200 and the might find someone dumb enough to pay so one sale makes it worthwhile. Fakes exist. Buy from someone you trust.

It is a great hobby but it takes a while to understand. I started in the early 1960's and haven't figured it out yet. Have fun.