Remember that in ancient coins, one could be worth thousands of others. Just take it easy and never hurry.
It’s his 50 bucks. He’ll do what he wants. Even though taking $50 and purchasing inexpensive identified coins might be more logical, I completely understand the flea market thrill of scrubbing 49 to find 1 that looks half decent. It’s an emotional rather than a logical equation. The smell of olive oil, dirt, and bronze. As long as he understands what he’s probably going to get and what he isn’t. He has gotten some good advice here. Have fun!
I have no delusions of finding treasure, I just think it’ll be a fun way to learn and - in my 8 year old brain - play Indiana Jones looking through secret artifacts. Haha
Hmmm Indiana Jones! I felt like he did when he found the well of Souls using the head piece of the staff of Ra. That is when I found the Macrianus piece!
Here are a few coins on my desk. I will give some away to new collectors in the US that PM their name and address.
Sorry for the thread necromancy, is the above situation still correct. I have a child who adores coins and likes to use their hands to clean and uncover things - I had remembered decades ago (wow it really is 2020) that I could buy a lot of uncleaned roman coins from E-bay. I wanted to make sure the sources listed above are still the best resources for us to go on a make believe archaeological dig.
Wow, Deac, you just reminded me that I only have a White belt! And, I forgot to bring my robe to class.... Oh boy.
Hey, I too have a budding Indiana Jones who loves coins, history, and discovering treasure under the dirt and grime. We haven’t purchased uncleaned coins in well over a year but nobleromancoins was a pretty good place to buy from. Perhaps a bit more expensive than other places, but we ended up with a decent number of identifiable, but not pretty, LRBs. @hotwheelsearl has done several write ups recently about buying uncleaned lots. Perhaps he can chime in.
Not sure if that picture going to come through but its a great description. I searched for threads started by @hotweelsearl and didn't see much about vendors. Is there a specific thread I should read over?
Vendors I’ve bought from are Ancient Treasures, Holding History and Noble Roman Coins. ancient treasures does lots of a hundred at a time which are complete crapshoots. 99% junk, if you’re really lucky you end up with a rare Commodus denarius. A few encrusted coins as well. Noble Roman coins sells specifically uncleaned coins. Advertised as “premium,” the odds of getting quality coins are rather high; about half of the coins I got cleaned up rather nicely. holding history doesn’t do lots too often, but the two Lots of 6 total coins I got were encrusted and coated in verdgris. The results were incredible with these. long story short; Ancient treasures gets you a lot of coins at a bargain price, with bargain finds to match ($0.70-$0.80 per coin) noble gets you less coins at a higher price but significantly better success rate and quality ($1.70+ per coin) holding history is the greatest results at the highest price ($6.70) that’s just my experience.
Thank you - I will search those three sites you mentioned and depending on the deal begin our excavation shortly, appreciate your reply.
@Dadandmearchaeology "I wanted to make sure the sources listed above are still the best resources for us to go on a make believe archaeological dig." send me a pm with your address and I will send you some nice coins