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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;gsimonel, post: 4817347, member: 82549&quot;]I&#039;ve bought many coins from AAH.</p><p><br /></p><p>The collapse of the Soviet bloc in 1989 opened the floodgates for ancient coins from Eastern Europe, and for the next decade many dealers--especially those with connections in Eastern Europe--imported and sold coins by the millions. Exporters often bought them uncleaned, in bulk, for ridiculously cheap prices from farmers who&#039;d discovered them in their fields and had no idea what they were selling for in the West; at one time I recall hearing that the going rate was around $.50 per coin flat rate--LRBs, anontiniani, sestertii, it didn&#039;t matter. This, combined with the growth of eBay, was the Golden Age of ancient coin collection, (as many old-timers will tell you with a wistful, faraway look in their eyes). (But keep in mind, too, that many of these old-timers still think bubblegum music was pretty neat.)</p><p><br /></p><p>But eventually many of the Eastern bloc sources realized the value of what they were exporting, large stashes that had been built up over many years were disbursed, the supply dwindled and prices stabilized. High volume, discount dealers found it impossible to maintain their business models. This may be what happened to AAH. Or it&#039;s possible that he died or made enough money and just walked away.</p><p><br /></p><p>Considering the huge volume of coins he sold, it wouldn&#039;t surprise me if a couple of fakes slipped through now and then, but I don&#039;t think he ever knowingly sold a fake coin; he didn&#039;t have to. He sold low-to-mid grade ancient coins at good prices and provided good, reliable service. Beginning collectors especially should mourn the passing of AAH. </p><p><br /></p><p>(<i>&quot;Every time I try to prove I love you, 1,2,3 red light.&quot;</i>)[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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