Hi guys, I saw @hotwheelsearl made a review of noble roman's a few months ago and thought I'd share my experience. I bought 20 'premium uncleaned' coins from for a total of USD $34 + $8 shipping ($42). I mentioned to the seller in my message in the checkout that it was my first time buying from them as my other go-to dealer had stopped selling. This may have had an impact on what I received, as I received 2 extra coins. The website mentions that within these coins "Customers have reported to us finding Dalmatius, denarius, and OMG, Celtic silver coins, as well Our opinion is that, properly cleaned and restored, nearly half of these coins will clean up to Fine or better condition, with a green patina and easily attributed via RIC". I definitely did not find nor did I expect to find any silver coins - this is a common phrase that many sellers use. I do agree with their opinion on the cleaning, at least in my experience. To clean the coins I soaked them in distilled water for a couple of months and used mechanical picking under a stereo microscope (various tools I can elaborate on if there is interest). I have not used ren wax on any of them as I don't feel any really need it. I may use acetone on a couple that still need cleaning, they look like they will turn out to be pretty sluggish. I have ordered them by condition rather than type/emperor. Only some I had remembered to do a before and after. Condition went from really good, good, okay, bad. All 22 after a brief soak and brush with water (I started picking at a couple of them here too). Really good. Really good - might need a tad more cleaning in certain spots. Really good. Obverse needs a little more cleaning in certain spots. Really good. Obverse could do with a little more cleaning on lower half. Really good. Really good - good. Good - okay. Good - okay. Good - okay. The rest of them in the following posts.
Good - okay. Could do with a bit more cleaning in areas. Good - okay. Will be good - okay after cleaning. Will be good - okay after cleaning. Good - Okay. Good - Okay (although its been holed). Okay. Okay. Bad but somewhat identifiable. Bad but somewhat identifiable.
Bad but somewhat identifiable. Needs more cleaning. Bad, but somewhat identifiable (appears to be spearing falling horseman type). Bad, but needs more cleaning. May be somewhat identifiable. Conclusions: I have a rough idea of the value of the coins and feel that I came out relatively well. They are quite common coins with a lot of repeating types and emperors. I haven't cleaned coins for a couple of years so this was a nice re-introduction to the cleaning side of the hobby. I noticed that a fair number of these coins had bad/tricky patinas that were a pain to work with. Some cleaned up really easily and nicely, while others required a lot of patience and care. These definitely are not beginner coins to be cleaning, many of these would have come out quite bad with a beginner.
Cheers. I'll most likely try him again when he as coins in stock, but wont spend much (probably a similar amount). I never really spend that much on uncleaned coins. I've found that a lot of these are nice giveaway coins - I've already found a home for one of the fallen horsemen.
Aaron, thanks so much for your review. I think you probably did a bet better than I did, and I’m happy for you! Regarding finding silver coins and Delmartius - I’ve bought over 1500 “junk” coins and came out with exactly 1 denarius and 1 Delmatius. The odds are not really in your favor. To be fair though, the denarius was a rare Hercules Romano Commodus worth up to a couple hundred bucks. But I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Cheers mate. I've bought maybe c.300 uncleaned coins and came out with a really nice silver denarius of Severus Alexander once and have had three islamic silvers in pretty bad shape (not worth much at all). I do enjoy the thrill of not knowing what you're getting and listening to podcasts/music while I clean - i find it really therapeutic.
That Constans VICT. AVGG is a BEAUTY! Especially from an uncleaned lot. Just wanted to say I've always had good luck with NRC. Obviously the sales pitch is just that, but he seems like an honest guy. The extra coins are a common thing, they toss in stuff a lot. I actually have gotten silver (technically billon Ants, but nice while metal) coins. I didn't think I would, but I did. One is a Gallienus that is just now finally getting some decent detail coming out of the dirt; it's been soak/clean/soaking for well over a year. Been meaning to post some of the pics, I'll try & get to it. The lowest grade are what you'd expect but the 2 higher grade levs are worth the couple extra bucks for a few coins. If you're into uncleaned coins. For what little my opinion is worth; NRC is a good store & the owner is a nice guy who tries to be as honest as he can (maybe a little over-the-top in his descriptions). Not to be a commercial... Just to say it again, WOW on that VICT AVGG! Better than silver
I need to see the Hercules worth $200 that came out of an uncleaned lot. This one was $183 postpaid from a seller on this list, Is yours better? The bottom line question is how many coins better than what you can buy cleaned for $4 in lots did you get. I still have not seen coins worth more than the fun you have cleaning them and hoping for greatness. If you sold the whole bunch after cleaning (that is, after you washed away the fun and hope) would you get $42?
I have around 700 former uncleans in the collection, about 400 were useless slugs with worn off features after cleaning. I did end up with 81 Fel Temp Reparatio types however.
Wow, you got some good ones. Last time I bought from them I got no good ones. They went in my jar of disappointment.
Although I have no interest, as far as collecting, in coins that are from eons gone by, but I did enjoy your information. Thank you for your information.
Doug, I definitely misspoke - the coin I have isn't worth $200, it's of a type worth up to $200. Very different! Sorry for the misleading. In its current condition it's probably more like $30, but still great for uncleaned. It was so discolored I was not surprised at all that the seller included it in a lot of junk small bronze. Although, a cursory look would have identified the bow and club... hey I ain't gonna complain about this windfall. Here it is, before and after:
