I have seen several of these for sale and most have a cd-rom along with it to help i.d. the coins, I am sure that the coins are not so great, but i was more curious about the cd-rom, has anyone gotten one of these? http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/product/229/3367/118.html I saw a similar one on amazon
Seems a way of paying 8$ each uncleaned you can buy for 0,50 elsewhere Cucumbor PS : don't know about the CD though
that is put together by www.dirtyoldcoins.com who sell coins, supplies and they have an attribution section of their website. I think it would probably be a great start for beginners...just don't buy uncleaned from them, I did just a bit ago and got coins that were mostly worn to a blank. I could recommend better places (though there are far fewer these days) to get uncleaned, but the Starter kit might contain useful info.
Look on Vcoins.com, there are numerous dealers selling unattributed coins on there for low prices. A lot of the time with these commercial things, the coins are basically junk. But on Vcoins you can find some decent, though common, Roman bronzes.
Noble Roman Coins offers a similar starter set. http://nobleromancoins.com/product_...d=237&osCsid=b23ad1fc07e74e3cec20309bf5cdd88b Steep price, I know. But to learn to clean like he can? Priceless.
I got a lot of 10 unlceaned from amazon and (though I expected it) was pretty diapointed, and that what I expect these to be like. I was just thinking maybe the CD might be resourceful, but since I obviously need/have a computer and with cointalk, wildwinds and other sites I'm not so sure the CD would be any more useful. I do like that set from NRC, maybe I'll get that, some unleaned coins from vcoins and a good book and just make my own kit well, when i get moeny Thanks for the input all
I bought cheap uncleaned coins a few times. Ever wonder WHY some people can offer them at such low prices? Because they're crappy! Go ahead, shell out the extra $8 for a 'premium' coin from a reputable dealer. You won't regret it.
I used to get pretty good quality uncleaned from multiple sources...now there is only one I would recommend who still gives decent lots and that would be ACC http://www.ancientcoins.ca/ they are on Vcoins but you might as well just go order from their site directly...best quality in uncleaned to be had these days as most others will sell you coins as smooth as a babies bottom. Go for the crusties, you have a better chance of a cool surprise....and they are cheaper...but you may also get some stinkers.
I went to http://www.ancientcoins.ca/ and saw they had 60 slugs for $21, I'm gona probably try those sometime. I'm wondering if there better then the ones I got from amazon.
slugs are as you might expect, they will be crap...out of all of the uncleaned they have, that would be the worst buy IMO. You would probably be better going with the uncleaned roman and greek hoards...they at least used to offer them in a variety of states...completely uncleaned, partially cleaned, and fully cleaned...they have a great selection from different time periods, not just a bunch of constantine a sons...All the coins I have bought from him save from the crusties have been attributatble and some have been nice enough for me to put online with the rest of my collection. I got a Probus, Valentinian, Claudius II, etc..from a few purchases there. I would stay away from slugs...as they describe it, they are just what is left and that will not be good.
My thoughts have always been, if you are going to put in the work to clean and restore truly uncleaned coins, you might as well get something that is worth the effort and time. If you are careful before you take steps, then you shouldnt have a big problem...its not that tough because, in all honesty, when it comes to some of these coins, its going to take some work and when it says premium these days...it probably isnt. I took a lot of chances at times, I bought from a guy who appeared on ebay, sold lots in the hundreds, I took a chance and bought one for a little over 100 USD. He claimed he found them in the balkans and disappeared from ebay soon after...ended up being the best hoard I have ever bought and I have been constantly searching for one as good. On the whole, I think if more coins than not out of a lot of ten is attributable, maybe one or two that are a bit nicer, you are doing rather well. I have a big jar full of old LRB that I cleaned but they are just too flawed, unattributable, or just smooth or pitted slugs. I have purchased close to two hundred LRB uncleaned from about every dealer I can find in multiple lots of ten, many were super crusty. I would say 70-80 were attributable and in decent condition after cleaning...maybe 20-30 that I would think are at least nicer and better preseved even with major problems (like full inscription missing, heavy corrosion, etc...) I would order a small lot of coins that at least arent LABELED slugs...even if you might get some Here are just a couple coins that I felt were some of the better fair...most of them are the last coins to be photographed so I have a lot to go through...these coins were probably bought about a dollar a peice...prices have gone up and you are getting less nice finds: ^^ I particularly like that one, that just came out looking great IMO. I just havent been finding a great ratio of slug to little gems as much these days.
I appreciate all of the input everyone The lot of 10 I got from amazon.com 3 were sort of attributable, ....sort of I like that one alot too
I got these in a little pack of 13 at a local shop here. Allready precleaned tough. about $2 each. The Gallienus is pretty cool, with the x through the obv. My mom got a digital camera and I am still tryen to get good at using it.
