Hey guys I just made my account here yesterday, and since in the past year I've began driving, things of that sort, I've been looking to build my collection up, and reaching into new realms of coins. I'd like to get looking at some ancient coins, but I don't really know what I should do to start. Here are some questions I could think up just as I write this: Where are good resources to learn more? Which websites have comprehensive lists and information on ancient coins? How can I ensure I'm not getting counterfeits? Would numista.com be a good resource on keeping track of my ancient coins and my more modern collection? I may think of more, and if so I'll edit this post. Thank you in advance for whatever you can think of letting me know. From what I can see, everyone here is incredibly helpful and dedicated. -Evan
One of the best places to learn about forgeries and buy coins without fear of forgery is Forumancientcoins.com Many of the members here are also regular there as well.
Here are a few links to reliable resources/shops.., wildwinds.com - attribution of ancient coins. vcoins - a dealer community of both fixed price and auction sales ma-shops.com - a dealer community Welcome!
Welcome @Evan Saltis ! Here is a thread to get you started. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancient-coins-beginners’-faq-thread.324858/
You can find a lot of good reference information in this post: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancient-coins-beginners’-faq-thread.324858/
Great, I'll mark that as best answer so anyone else who happens to see this in the future can be directed to the right place. Thank you!
I like books but the better ones cost a lot for a young budget, There is a lot to learn online as mentioned in the CT beginner thread. The only thing better is in person, hands on exposure to coins at a club meeting or coin show but to recommend that we would need to know where you are and how far you can travel. For example, there is a coin show with at least some ancients in Richmond VA (near me) May 3-4 which is great if you are in central Virginia and worthless if you are in Europe. The best education on fakes is to experience 10,000 genuine coins and a few hundred fakes. Making friends with special coin dealers at shows is one good way to do this. Second choice is to participate here and ask questions on points that are not clear. I always suggest beginners avoid buying high dollar rarities even from trusted sources until you start to appreciate what is expected and to be avoided from coins under consideration. At your age, you will have years to build a strong basis. Not all sellers will take you seriously but some will and you should soon develop a feel for those who sell what you want to buy rather than what they have in stock at the moment. You should start to decide what coins appeal to you for early purchases but mostly in a very general sense (Greek bronzes rather than large size bronze coins of 5th century Syracuse). You also need to decide if your idea of $1000 worth of coins is one super coin or 100 at $10 each. Coins exist in all price ranges and it is common for us all to want the flashy ones when our budgets might suggest otherwise. Ask questions!
Great explanation! I used to feel like I needed to complete sets until I went to a show where a collector told me "This is for you. Collect what you like, not what everyone else tells says you should." Since then, I've been doing me. Thank you for your contribution
Sets are a problem when there are a million coins to consider. 'Coins I like' is a good set. No beginner comes to the hobby with an appreciation for all the choices. In time your specialty will find you. You might decide only to collect a very narrow specialty or you might have a thousand coins that are all quite different. It really is a question with no single answer that fits each of us. My favorite coins: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/favs.html If you look at them all you will see my several specialties but there is no reason you would ever want even one of those coins.
