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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Orielensis, post: 3289067, member: 96898&quot;]Personally, I really don&#039;t mind honest wear on ancient coins, and I tend to consider it a layer of historical use and appreciation rather than damage. Attractively worn coins such as these two are always welcome to my collection, and many other ancient collectors appear to think similarly:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]869663[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Faustina the Younger, Roman Empire, sestertius, ca. 161–164 AD, Rome mint. Obv: [F]AVSTINA AVGV[STA], diademed portrait right. Rev: IV[NONI] REGINAE, S-C, Iuno standing left with patera and sceptre, peacock left. 30mm, 27g. Ref: RIC III, 1651.</font></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]869664[/ATTACH]</p><p><font size="3">Caligula, Roman Empire, As, 37–38 AD, Rome mint. Obv: C CAESAR GERMANICVS PON M TR POT, bare-headed head left. Rev: VESTA, Vesta seated left holding patera and&nbsp; sceptre. S–C. 28 mm, 10.18 g. Ref: RIC I, 38. Ex Spartan, ex D. Pichler.</font></p><p><br /></p><p>Is it wise to collect such specimens? For a start, collecting ancient coins seems quite the opposite of a clever financial move. Furthermore, there is a high level of irrational geekiness to spending considerable time and money on small chunks of old metal. Hence, I think of my collecting not as a smart decision, but as an enjoyable and educational personal folly. This hobby has given me tremendous aesthetic pleasure, lots of fun discussions with fellow collectors, and many a joyful and enlightening hour spent on reading up on the history behind these objects. None of this has much to do with rarity, grade, or resale value – and therefore I continue to simply collect coins that I like, can afford, and find fascinating, no matter how worn or common they are.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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