Curious about world and ancients

Like the title says I'm curious about world and ancient coins. I know next to nothing about either, mostly because I've had all I can handle with U.S. coins on my budget and if I were to spread things any thinner it might take the fun out of it a bit. I have read a few things on here about U.S. coins being overpriced and overvalued and about alternatives and have been thinking about looking into these alternatives. Right off the bat I've got some questions and would appreciate any help anyone cares to throw out there.

First, how did you decide on what you collect? World and ancient seems to me like it would be an overwhelming amount of choices and I really have no idea where a person would start. It's downright intimidating to me to think about how many directions a person could go with this.

Second, how do you get the coins you collect? I'm in Indiana and there isn't a whole lot of choices outside of U.S. coinage. I'm guessiing online dealers and auctions are the best bet but I'm wondering if there are any other choices.

Third, how do you go about collecting these? I'm guessing it depends on what you collect, if there are date and mintmarks you could go that way, like Lincolns, or by the year only if that applies, like most of the IHCs. What other choices are out there?

Thanks, Mark

 

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Me, as far as ancients go it's whatever I get in the uncleaned lots I try my hand at cleaning at. And for your 2nd question. Yes I go online 95% of the time. Vcoin, eBay, & actuall sellers web site. As far as #3. Whatever you want to do

Take Care
Ben

 

Hi Mark, and welcome to the Darkside!

Unless there is some special event in your life that leads directly to a specialty (example: my residence in Japan and its aftermath led me to modern Japanese coinage as my specialty), probably the most common entry route to world coin collecting is the OFEC path - One From Every Country.

Within that category there are many variations. Some collect one coin from each formal, internationally recognized entity - one and only one coin from Germany or any of its States or incarnations. Others use the philosophy that if Krause calls it a country, they'll look for one coin from it. An even more expansive method is to collect by regime - each German State, each ruler of England, each monetary reform from Mexico, Turkey, etc. And, as the individualists most of them are, collectors find many other definitions for their OFEC collections.

In the course of acquiring coins from dealers' junk bowls (high grade is not usually critical to OFEC collectors), bulk lots of pre-Euro coinage from on-line sellers, ads in coin publications, and just mentioning your interest to friends and relatives who have traveled internationally and have some left over change; you will probably find yourself attracted to some particular group - perhaps a certain country, perhaps a certain metallic composition, perhaps a certain theme or subject matter, parhaps the coin types of one country, perhaps . . . you fill in the blank.

Or then you might want to go to your local public library, get your hands on a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins, and just thumb through the thousands of pages of coin pictures in the volumes covering the 17th-21st Centuries, looking for something that grabs you.

World birth year sets are another option, and there are many beautiful coins issued in yours.

Another choice that has to be made, after you have learned more about the subject, is whether to include - or even limit yourself to - the vast array of Non-Circulating Legal Tender minted especially for collectors by many nations. Also, do you want to include or exclude "pretend" countries such as "Sealand" and the "Hutt River Province" which are not recognized by any national govenrment, but nevertheless mint tokens which they call coins.

In the ancient field there are multiple categories, and many people dip their toes by acquiring uncleaned batches, which they soak in olive oil (sometimes for years) in order to see what they have.

Bottom line - world and ancient coin collecting is a vast field with opportunities for everyone to find something that appeals to them. Daunting as it is, the very variety and breadth of the field is also its strengh - not to mention that in general Darkside material is chaeper than US coins of comparable quality. Although there are some extremely expensive world and ancient coins, they do not make up the bulk of the market.

I haven't mentioned the most fascinating method of all - buy anything and everything in your price range that calls out to you "Hey, look how nice I look - take me home."

Whatever route you take, don't forget to read, read, read, and increase your enjoyment as you increase your knowledge.

 

I am an OFEC collector and a OFEE as well (One of every emperor). My mission is to collect and catalog one example of every coin minted (best shape possible but mint isnt important)...this includes Roman and ancient. I will buy from only certain sellers when it comes to ancients, world coins I get from, like was said, my travels (I travel a lot), friends travels, family, or anywhere else I find a coin I dont have. I have traded a care package to a soldier for almost every modern Iraqi coin ever minted... and like Bonedigger, I am a coin soaker, scrubber, picker, because I loves uncleaned...

I like my coins to have been in circulation but in good shape. If I had to say that I a had a real emphasis it would be Roman Imperial and the older coins though I just like coins.

 

Uncle Herbie,
Since I basically like all coins,I decided early on,after getting my US proof sets,mint sets,Silver dollar date set and the usual albums of nickels,cents etc.that I would start collecting ancient coins.I picked up a few Roman and Greek coins and finally figured out that what I would do is create a timeline from 600BC all the way to the end of the 19th century.These are kept in seperate albums and include everything from Celtic bronzes to Byzantine gold and brass...etc.Everything is put in the albums by date only.This makes it interesting because you can see which kings,queens and emperors reigned simultaneously since their coins sit right next ot each other.I can tell you that when I show these to people,they are totally blown away.The only drawback is that every time I get a new coin,I have to move EVERY coin in that album that falls after it in time.As far as where I get them,there are three dealers in my area that stock ancients and I also buy from the reputable dealers online.If you'd like I'm sure we could come up with a good list.

 

that sums it up for me...and it just so happens I like almost every type of coin. Each one is unique and tells you something. I figured if there is a reason for what I do it is the artistic value and the historical value. How much the coin is worth in resale or over time isnt important as much. Some of the most interesting coins I have ever seen are often copper, brass, ect...metal worth almost nothing.

^^ one of my favorite coins, its worth almost nothing but what a design.


^^ again, not worth much at all but I just love the design on this 1960s coin and compared to the same subject matter compared to this coin from the same country just a few decades before.



Its never ending



this is by far one of the nicer coin designs, but this is a comon ancient design done very very well on a modern.

 

Should I have said comparatively? To gold and silver and people who buy coins for an investment in the metal content? The amount of copper in my worn and common Gallienus Antoninianus is almost worthless and the coin is worth little. Yet my Claudius As is worth far more than my Septumus Severus Denarius.

 

Drusus - My point was only that copper is no longer a worthless metal. If my post offended you, I apologize, as that was certainly not my intent.

Perhaps the news stories I am seeing almost daily about graveyards being stripped of headstones, and constructions sites losing reels of electrical wire and plumbing materials, etc., haven't made it to your local newspaper.

 

No offense taken. My point was just in regards to a coin and its metal value, comparatively and given a choice to steal copper or silver and gold, I think those people would not give copper a second glance.

 

I love ancients but I also love shall we say everything from Tokens to modern silver commems LOL, if i like it I will buy it As for anciants I too love to soak and clean em as it is the fun of suddenly seeing something that has been lost for so long reapear. my celtic though I only buy from one scource cos I trust him

De Orc

 

Thanks for the tips guys. I've been looking around online and found some info but "tip of the iceburg" would be an understatement I'm afraid. There seem to be no shortage of nice looking coins out there as well as interesting stories. I also looked at ebay and found some interesting things but also saw some auctions that had red flags going off, they kinda smelled like the unsearched wheaties deals ya know. Guess those guys are everywhere. Anyhoo, from what I understand reading up is essential, as usual, and this Standard Catalog of World Coins sounds like a good one for getting ideas. I also see references on here to this Krause book, this seems to be like a redbook for world coins if I'm not mistaken and sounds like a handy book also if a person would get into those. I'm guessing these wouldn't cover ancients so is there something to go by for those or would the reference material be more specialized for a subject that large? How about price guides? How do you know what to give for certain coins?

For right now the uncleaned lots of ancients sounds like a cheap start and it sounds like a good ongoing project where I can learn more as I go but many of the shadier ebay auctions were for these, I can see the scam potential. Does anyone have a recommendation as to where to go for a reliable seller?

Thanks again

 

Here is a good place to learn many interesting world coins. Do go through the previous topics when you have time.

What would be nice is if you can really do pick a copy of Krause, even a cheap second hand one will do. If you need ideas of what world coins to collect, maybe perhaps if you did travel overseas, collecting coins from the countries that you visited would be a nice start to begin with, that is if you found them pretty.

Otherwise if you still run out of inspirations, you can take a look at Don's world coin homepage: http://worldcoingallery.com/ or else you can take a look at omnicoin.com http://www.omnicoin.com where various members post their own coin pictures. I do have mine posted (mostly Russian), so do check them out when you have time

 

Krause is as a must for world coins and if you need reference for ancient coins might I recommend Roman Coins and their Values by David Sear (one of the foremost authorities on the subject) but those are rather expensive books.

A site that is a big help for a lot of world coins and has KM numbers is:

http://www.worldcoingallery.com/

A site that is a huge help for Roman Coins would be:

http://www.wildwilds.com/

 

I also follow this collecting philosphy...... of course this may be due to my considering GDJMSP my mentor since he gave me the "gold" bug a year or so ago
Of course my attraction to ducats isn't nearly as great as his !!!!

Also be sure to follow SATOOTOKO's advice "Whatever route you take, don't forget to read, read, read, and increase your enjoyment as you increase your knowledge" before you start spending $$$$$$.

Good luck

 

Thanks for the info everyone, you've given me a lot to think about. I've been checking out the links and reading up this past weekend and it's really interesting. I don't know if I'll take the plunge and go over to the dark side but I'll be looking into it.

It's great to have y'all hanging around with so many answers for us newer people. :bow:

Thanks again.

 

Hi Uncle Herbie. I started out like you are now. I collected everything world coins. as time went on I got out of control. The thing that fixed that problem was me buying the Krause world coins catalogs. then I became much more focused on what I liked/wanted. my quest now is getting every world "coin with insects" coins. I also have other topical/themes collections such as certain "coins with hands" certain "coins with stars" I also collect misc. world coins. I liked rainbow toned coins too. I also collect U.S. type coins. I started out getting so called cheap coins. then later I started saving up for better grade coins. lower grade coins are ok too. the thrill of the hunt continues. if you love coins as much as I do...you will learn that coin collecting can be a life long hobby. I say this because some coins on my want list are much harder to find/get. I will eventually collect ancient coins. they are fascinating, but can be pricey. that all depends on grade and rarity. the most important thing is to have fun and buy what YOU like..NOT what someone else tells you to buy. another thing I would suggest would be going to coin shows in your state or neighboring states. last but least ....buy the books then the coins....read read read up on coins. this will teach you the real value and grades of most coins. talking with other coin collectors helps a lot and maybe they can tell you where to find/get the coins you are interested in getting/buying are. enjoy the hunt. good luck. :welcome:

 

I seem to be drawn towards the animal coins, whether they're Greek, Roman and/or whether they're from other outlying ancient civilzations ...

"Birds" for example can be found on many coins (there are countless Eagles and Owls on both Greek and Roman coins) ...

"Wolves", "Bulls" and "Lions" are a few examples of animals that are commonly found on many ancient coins ...

... then once you've got a couple of these nice common-animal collections going, I like to hunt for a few of the more rare animals (less commonly found on coins) like: dogs, turtles, hippos, rhinos, elephants, octopus, crocodiles, etc ...

Oh, and then there are my favourites => the animals/creatures from the famous ancient myths => gryphons, minotaurs, satyrs, gorgons, pegasus, Pan, hippocamp, chimaera, etc, etc ...

Man, I could go on all day about the numerous gorgeous coin-collecting options that are at your mere finger-tips (now that the internet allows us to search world-wide for these beauties!! ... nice)

Anyway => "good luck" with whatever you decide to blow your money on!!

 

You do realize this thread is 7 years old?