Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;gsimonel, post: 3085454, member: 82549&quot;]I agree. That&#039;s why I started off collecting by buying uncleaned coins. It was a great way to learn how to ID ancient coins and about ancient Western history in general. The only downside were all the high-end collectors who sneered us for cleaning coins and called them garbage and a waste of money.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>It is true that the &quot;golden age&quot; of cleaning ancient coins has probably past and that coins today are usually well picked over by the time that they are shipped from their source, but if you are just looking to learn about ancient coins and/or like the challenge of IDing late Roman bronzes (LRBs) in rough shape, there are plenty of uncleaned coin sellers out there. Start by buying small lots of 10 or so from someone on eBay. If you like what you receive, remember the seller&#039;s name patronize him or her.</p><p><br /></p><p>Even 15 or 20 years ago--the so-called golden age--the overwhelming majority of coins that you would receive in an uncleaned lot were low-grade LRBs. The difference was that back then you might also find an occasional F+ Trajan dupondius. Those coins get pulled out today. But cleaning uncleaned coins can still be a good introduction to the hobby.[/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