Hello Everyone! Can any of you recommend a reputable dealer in Ancient coins? I've always steered clear of ancients despite my interest for fear of getting bamboozled, but i figured if anyone would know of a reliable dealer on the net it would be you guys... Many thanks in advance....
Welcome to the Ancients Forum, WhipperSnapper 88! I'll send you my favorites via Personal Mail (PM) standby.
I suspect my list would be a lot like DR's but I would like to suggest that anyone asking this question needs to include just a little information about themselves so we can suggest effectively. I don't know WipperSnapper88 but could help more if I knew: 1. Where (in general) are you located - the answer for someone in London will be different from that for someone in Tampa and the members who could best help would be different, too. WS88 specified 'on the net' but I would suggest a show if it turned out there was one in his area. I'm sensitive to this because I lived in Washington DC for 18 years before I discovered they had a specialty ancient coin club. I bought some nice coins from other members after I learned they existed. 2. What price bracket are you in? I currently have a beautiful catalog for the next CNG sale which includes a couple coins estimated at $10,000 which I really wish I could buy. I also have an email from a slightly lower end seller who had no coin I felt the call to own even at his discount prices. A question like, "Who would you suggest for a beginner on a teen allowance?", would get a different reply than a similar request from a vice-president of Google. 3. What have you collected before? Those coming from a history background might be different from those who only buy CAC slabs.
I would start by checking out vcoins.com. The dealers there are reputable and the selection in total is enormous. As has been discussed on this forum before, before you dive in it might be a good to have some idea of what you are most interested in!
I have purchased coins from vcoins and forum ancient coins, both seem to be pretty reputable dealers.
FORVM shop at FORVM Ancient Coins is a great dealer too. They do however tend to be a little pricey, I'd say 10% to 15% above market price. However, they will buy back your coins purchased from them at any time and give you back 100% of your money no questions asked, which is a nice way to buy a coin now and upgrade to a nicer coin down the line should they get one in.
They actually recently changed it and added a $5 restocking fee unfortunately. You can see the details here. That said, I do agree that FORVM is a great dealer and I have purchased many of my favorite coins from Joe. I also learned a ton reading posts there and try to buy something at least once a year or so.
Mr. Joe Sermarini of FORVM Ancient Coins is a great man! Honest and knowledgable! Some of the best are here on this forum. I've PM 'd you my favorites.
Good questions, all. 1.) NE Ohio, but going to an actual show or auction is difficult for me as I have a complicated schedule. Internet buying works best for me. 2.) I would say a limited budget at this time. Something in the $50 and under range would be what funds allow 3.) I'm brand new to ancients, so the answer to your question about what I've collected previously is effectively nothing, therefore i have no particular preferences. What attracts me to a coin is age / history, so I'm not picky on particular regions / eras.
