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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;sand, post: 13506640, member: 118540&quot;]I&#039;m not an expert in this area. The following is my theory, based on my limited knowledge.</p><p>Most ancient persons did not use paper money. Therefore, in ancient times, most money was gold coins, silver coins, and bronze coins. Because there were few banks in ancient times (although some wealthy persons had access to banks at certain times and places), many persons hoarded gold coins, silver coins, and even bronze coins. A person would put their coins into jars, and bury the jars somewhere under their house or yard, and not tell anyone where their coins were buried.</p><p>Often, these coins were relatively new, and therefore the coins were almost uncirculated, or in extremely fine condition. Then, the person would die, and the forgotten coins would stay in the ground for thousands of years. If the ground, where the coins were buried, stayed relatively dry, then this would be a pretty good environment, for preserving the coins. Or, the jar may become encased in mud, which may also be a good environment, for preserving the coins.</p><p>Gold coins are usually unaffected by their environment, because gold doesn&#039;t react much with various chemicals. Silver coins usually become tarnished, and then the tarnish protects the silver coins from further deterioration, unless the silver coins are in sea/salt water. Bronze coins develop a patina, which often protects the bronze coins from further deterioration.</p><p>Often, ancient silver coins and bronze coins, after they are found, are cleaned with chemicals, so that the tarnish or patina is removed, resulting in shiny silver coins or shiny bronze coins. Then, the ancient coins often sit in collectors&#039; coin cases or coin cabinets, and eventually develop &quot;cabinet toning&quot; or &quot;cabinet patina&quot;.</p><p>Also, if I remember correctly, a huge hoard of Athena tetradrachms was discovered 10 years ago or so. That huge hoard has slowly been sold, in various auctions, and may still be in the process of being sold.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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