Here's something interesting: I'm doing pro-bono numismatic research attributing at least 28 (but possibly many more) assorted alumni-donated coins at my university (Brandeis) this upcoming semester. The Classics Dept. has had these sitting in a display case in the main library for a long time (possibly several decades) without any information whatsoever. Most are late Roman coins, but a few Byzantines are scattered here and there, and in addition there is at least one AE Greek/Roman Republic that I can see, but of more interest to me were two or three "medieval" coins. I started Google-ing "Italian medieval coins" which led me to investigate "Crusader coins" after coming across picture of a coin that looked similar to what was in the case, and finally I came across a page on medieval Armenian coins, which is what these mystery coins are. I should've noticed the Armenian script, as I happen to live in a town with the second-largest Armenian-American population in the U.S., but I somehow didn't. Still, these will be fun to attribute further. Note: I don't mind doing this for free, but I'll be danged if I wasn't graduating next year, as I could've applied for a new grant which would have given me a $500 stipend for working on these coins. Too bad...:whistle: Note #2: At the behest of one of my professors, I'm loaning my small ancient collection to the university for at least 6 months, and they'll be on display next to the coins I attribute. Can't wait for that!
I think I read that Hebrew College in Newton has a ancient coin collection as well as numerous texts in their library collection. Temple Kehillath Israel was also bequeathed an Israeli Medal collection.Maybe they would be interested in showcasing their collection as well with Brandeis for they are all local. Good Luck and good work. When and where can we see the exhibition once completed? Will it be online as well? Can members of the Forum donate coins to Brandeis for a nice deduction? If so, put the address out there....maybe someone in the forum is interested. Are there other Numismatists at Brandeis? Mike
I'll look into that. I wasn't aware that H.C. had any such collection. I believe it will still be on display in the main library on-campus (the Farber/Goldfarb Library). I have a feeling the Classics Dept. will update their site online as the attributions start to come along. I was told the Classics Dept. page would feature an article on the process (this next semester, undergraduates will also start cataloging over 800 donated ancient artifacts currently in the possesion of the Classics Dept.) Maybe someone has some Jewish coins to donate? As far as I know, Brandeis has none, though they have a large array of other Jewish artifacts, old and new, and plenty of books in the library on Jewish coinage. Probably, but none that I know of. I'll be a senior this year, and as of yet, I haven't run across any other coin-enthusiasts, sadly.
If you need help attributing, you might want to take a look at the following: ANYTHING ANYWHERE LINK APPRAISAL, ATTRIBUTION, & AUTHENTICATION SERVICES I've appraised some large and valuable collections, for which I was paid well. I've also identified hundreds of items for clients. And I've authenticated over 40,000 items for clients. 7/15/2006 IDENTIFICATION SERVICE 2 years ago I put out a notice for a forthcoming subscription service. That service was conceived as an online catalog of coins and banknotes with enough oomph in terms of content and mechanics that the average collector would have a reasonable chance of being able to identify and possibly get some background on most numismatic items. 2 years later we are still working on it, and it seems that we are indeed making progress. At the same time (last several years) I have been getting emails regularly from the world asking me to identify numismata, and almost always I can. My policy until now has been to allow some small number of idents at no charge, after which I threatened to bring remuneration into the process, and to date no one has ever been charged, even though perhaps some should have been. Lack of time has brought me to the point at which I feel that I must begin to charge for attributions, so, starting from when this is posted, all attributions will cost $1.00 per item, payable through paypal only. Or, if you wish, you can set up a prepaid account by various methods which we can discuss. There will be a discounted fee if you prepay for multiple items: $10 gets you 11, $20 gets you 24 identifications, $50 gets you 63 items, $100 gets you 133 items. Here is how it will work: 1. OFFER: I will identify any coin, token, banknote, or other numismatic object. “Identify” means I will tell you, at a minimum, the country, denomination, date of the thing. I will offer information on metal content, approximate value (whatever that means), commemorative aspects if any, and any other information I might have. You can try me on other items not numismatic, but no promises. 2. EXCLUSIONS: I will not grade and I will not authenticate from pictures or descriptions. I can give my opinion on those aspects only if you ship me the object for physical inspection. See below for details. 3. METHOD: A. Either send me a picture or give me a good description. The best pictures of coins, medals, etc. will be scanner images at 150%, 300 dpi, extra sharpness, taken on a black background (easily produced by leaving the cover off). White background will tend to produce too much contrast. The best pictures of banknotes will be on a scanner at 100%, 200 dpi, normal sharpness. Take pictures of both sides and send as uncompressed jpgs attached to an email. You can send up to 6 jpgs totalling about 2mgb per email. You can send me other types of images (camera, etc.) in other formats, but they may not work for various reasons. B. If you send me a description I want to know as much as possible of the following: -metal content and/or color -size (millimeters preferred to inches) and shape -description of the major design elements of both sides -the legend on both sides. If in a foreign alphabet (non-”Roman,” which is the one used for English, etc.) try to figure out what alphabet it is and tell me. If it is Greek or Russian with a lot of letters similar to Roman then try to “fake it.” C. I may ask you more questions D. When I am done I will send you one of the following messages: -I have identified your item(s). Pay me $x through paypal and I will send you my results, or -I’m sorry, I can’t identify your item, you don’t owe me anything. E. You will pay me and I will send you my information. 4. NO REFUNDS for any reason. Let’s try this and see if it works, OK? GRADING AND AUTHENTICATION You must realize that anything I might say will not have the cachet, though it may have the accuracy, of the big grading services, but my opinion might turn out to be worth something, and I will do work on objects that the agencies will not touch. METHOD A. I must have the object in hand. You will pay the shipping costs both ways, and I will charge you $5.00 for a grade opinion and $5.00 for an authentication opinion. You will get a signed letter from me giving my conclusions. The item will be scanned or digitally photographed and that picture will be reproduced on the letter. That and a couple of bucks will get you a cup of coffee. Occasionally, however, you might run into someone who will take my word for something, and on that basis will buy something from you that otherwise maybe they would not. B. The turnaround time will usually be short. If there is a problem that requires research or consultation I'll let you know. C. At the moment I do not have an "application form." I'll make one when the traffic demands. For now just get in touch and we'll work out the details. D. For authentication you will get a "real," "fake," or "I can't tell" from me. You will not be charged for "I don't know." E. For grade you will get a standard "word" grade (very good, extremely fine, etc.). Detractors will be mentioned. Split grades will be mentioned, as will grading peculiarities specific to that item, country, type, year, etc. if I know them (such as the fact, on German minors of 1873-89, that unless the little shield on the eagle's breast has some detail the coin is not better than VG no matter how nice the rest of it looks). So you'll get blather if necessary, but you will not get numbers. I don't do numbers. It will be "uncirculated," not MS60. F. All of this stuff will be my opinion only. I may be wrong. If I am I will apologize and retract my opinion in writing, but I will not make a refund. APPRAISAL I have done a number (more than 6, less than 400) of collection appraisals for collectors or their estate. The largest was 40,000 items, several were more than 10,000. I produce a written report, details to be arranged by negotiation, telling you what you wanted to know. Typically this will be what you have and what it is "worth." "Value" can be described in terms of relaceablity or potential sales value were one to sell to a dealer. "Retail" or "market" prices are subject to market forces, and I will be glad to explain why I think an appraisal giving values in these terms is not a good idea. "Catalog" values are useful in some series, not in others, and I can explain my views on this as well. I will travel if my expenses are paid. I charge by the hour, but I work very fast.
