Hey everyone, In case you remember from my previous posts, I have gotten 2 uncleaned lots now and am having a lot of fun trying to clean/identify them. I do not have pics yet but will post when I do. Also, I bought several coins from a member here and they are fantastic! I got my Sears book for Christmas so just trying to attribute them was a lot of fun. Anyway, I have a quick question for you fellows. I went into a store on the way home Christmas eve as I got off work early and I am usually at work while they were open. I asked them if he had ancients at which the owner kind of looked blank. I then said "Like early Romans." He dug through a cabinet and said "Hmm I just have this Byzantinian gold coin..." to which I shook my head (way out of my price range) and then a bit later "Ah yeah these two. I thought I had Romans but they are old Macedonian silver." I did not ask to look at them but am now regretting it. I know not too much about Macedonian silver specifically. My hope is that he sounded so vague about it that maybe he will just let them go at a bargain? At what price should I (having seen them, but not really knowing what I am looking at) say "OK deal"? I know I could spend a few hours doing some research but I'm not really too interested in Macedonian silver. So I guess my question is...let's say I look at them and they look about as one would expect of 2 early Macedonian silver coins, legible, in decent shape, etc. At what price would you (or more specifically you would advise me) snatch them up? $50 for the two? $100 for the two? I have no idea what he will say but he seems kind of willy nilly about them and I don't want to pass up a possible bargain :thumb: Thanks for the advice! I know it is kind of vague but pictures and/or attributions are not going to be able to be provided. Thanks, Geoff
"Early Macedonian silver coins?" Some where between $20-$3000 It just depends on what they are, the size/weight, age, type, condition, real/fake ( modern or ancient if fake). Ask if you can take some photos (of the edge too) and get the size and weight. edit: and check for simiar ones online like on vcoins.com
What randy said, see if you can take photos to share. Because alot of those types are faked. Some so good they can fool a dealer who doesnt know ancients very well.
OK this is very good advice and I appreciate it...my concerns with photos are twofold. First, I don't want to prod him to go research himself. Secondly I don't have a camera so it's kind of a moot point. So for the sake of my question let's say this: if he has a return policy if they are counterfeit, at what $ amount for the both would you snatch them up? I know the idea of this is to photograph, id, and go back if buy if a bargain. But since that can't be the case, at what price do you say "OK fine"? Or even secondarily if he doesn't have a return policy...at what point would you say it's worth it to risk counterfeits? I mean heck if he says "no return policy, but I'll give them both to you for $30" it's worth the risk right? I know you guys would love photos but I really don't have the capability even if he'd let me.
If he has a return policy then it isnt much of a problem. With greek silvers there is so many and at so many price points its hard to tell you what could be a bargain and what is a rip off. macedonia silver coins can go from $50 or so to 7 figures in price. We only ask for photos so we can look out for you the collector. Like this thread was a mistake/lesson learned in overpaying. http://www.cointalk.com/t219205/ But you can go with your guy, if the dealer allows you to hold the coin and it feels like silver and there isnt a casting seam on the edge or odd bubbling on the coins surface, then its worth risking.
If they are in decent condition and real, then yeah it might be worth it for 30. You could also just get 1, and see if its any good, then get the other.
"Macedonian" covers anything from archaic Macedon through Alexander the Great and later. I cannot think of any ancient coin more faked than Alexander, (maybe Athens, but just maybe). So, the risk is VERY real they could be fakes he bought in a group of stuff. Like a lot of things, knowledge is power here. I suggest taking Randy's advice and familiarize yourself with Macedonian types. Not many things would make me more nervous in ancient collecting than saying its ok to buy Macedonian silver coins from dealer who doesn't know what he is doing either. Its just very likely they are fakes. If they ARE real, and recognizable, of course it would be a nice buy.
