Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;dougsmit, post: 3704850, member: 19463&quot;]When on school playgrounds, Kindergarten students do not play ball with 5th graders.&nbsp; The ones that try, can get hurt.&nbsp; Starting a collection with Didius Julianus is a lot like going out for the high school team.&nbsp; It helps a lot if you have learned the basics when younger and put of a few pounds (knowledge and experience).&nbsp; You are welcome on the playground but we hope you will play safe.&nbsp; That does not mean you must start with late Roman but it does mean you need to avoid bullies and not get ahead of your peer group until you are ready.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>There was a time when we shook our heads at new collectors who started with coins of the 12 Caesars (first century AD) but now we see a few who don&#039;t want all 12 but just the rare ones (Caligula, Otho etc.) and act uninterested in the easy Flavians etc.&nbsp; The chances of buying a fake for your first coin is higher if your first coin is several hundred dollars.&nbsp; There are cheap fakes so you still need care but it is almost certain that a cheap coin of a popular/rare/short reign ruler will be fake.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I like Sallent&#039;s numbers but believe 40% is low for grossly overpriced.&nbsp; I don&#039;t see quite 35% fakes unless you are only looking at the rare and popular coins.&nbsp; You can cut the risk down by buying from a seller you know.&nbsp;&nbsp; There are dealers who post here on Coin Talk.&nbsp; That would be a good place to start but the coins they sell might not be as rare and popular as your Didius ---- they would, however, be real.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in