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<p>[QUOTE="Finn235, post: 3536697, member: 98035"]If you search "ancient coin lot" on ebay you can find a few dozen auctions ending literally every hour, 24x7x365. Probably 90% of them are garbage, but if you can clearly see both sides of every coin in the lot, you can usually win them for a tiny fraction of the price of a single coin. You really can't beat an unidentified lot to get your hands dirty. Steer clear of silver and any seller located in Cyprus, China or Bulgaria, and you are very unlikely to get burned by a fake.</p><p><br /></p><p>I would however recommend a single nicer coin as your first. Coins of the Constantine dynasty are plentiful and affordable, even for top grade coins. Expect this kind of quality for about $20-30</p><p>Constantius II as Caesar</p><p>"Camp Gate"</p><p>[ATTACH=full]940002[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Also of less historical interest to a newbie are coins of the various "barracks emperors" of the Crisis, 238 - 285. Gordian III is frequently the most commonly recommended, as his double-denarii (antoninianii) are available in mint state for $30-50</p><p>[ATTACH=full]940003[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Later coins are debased to the point of being bronze. They are commonly available for a dollar or two, but pristine examples fetch a LOT more.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here's a ~$5-10 Probus</p><p>[ATTACH=full]940004[/ATTACH] </p><p>Here's a ~$50 Probus</p><p>[ATTACH=full]940006[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Severan dynasty coins are also quite common and affordable. Here's a ~$50 Caracalla in nearly mint state with a typical worn reverse die</p><p>[ATTACH=full]940008[/ATTACH] </p><p>I would steer clear of Greek or early Roman until you are a little more comfortable with ancients.</p><p><br /></p><p>Also, don't forget that Rome and Greece weren't the only classical cultures!</p><p><br /></p><p>A favorite of mine, the Western Satraps (Kshatrapas) of India, who were powerful trade intermediaries with Rome. Their silver drachms are usually in good shape, and I have never once seen one sell for more than $35 on ebay, even for the most choice specimen. This one was about $17</p><p>Rudrasena III</p><p>[ATTACH=full]940014[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Finn235, post: 3536697, member: 98035"]If you search "ancient coin lot" on ebay you can find a few dozen auctions ending literally every hour, 24x7x365. Probably 90% of them are garbage, but if you can clearly see both sides of every coin in the lot, you can usually win them for a tiny fraction of the price of a single coin. You really can't beat an unidentified lot to get your hands dirty. Steer clear of silver and any seller located in Cyprus, China or Bulgaria, and you are very unlikely to get burned by a fake. I would however recommend a single nicer coin as your first. Coins of the Constantine dynasty are plentiful and affordable, even for top grade coins. Expect this kind of quality for about $20-30 Constantius II as Caesar "Camp Gate" [ATTACH=full]940002[/ATTACH] Also of less historical interest to a newbie are coins of the various "barracks emperors" of the Crisis, 238 - 285. Gordian III is frequently the most commonly recommended, as his double-denarii (antoninianii) are available in mint state for $30-50 [ATTACH=full]940003[/ATTACH] Later coins are debased to the point of being bronze. They are commonly available for a dollar or two, but pristine examples fetch a LOT more. Here's a ~$5-10 Probus [ATTACH=full]940004[/ATTACH] Here's a ~$50 Probus [ATTACH=full]940006[/ATTACH] Severan dynasty coins are also quite common and affordable. Here's a ~$50 Caracalla in nearly mint state with a typical worn reverse die [ATTACH=full]940008[/ATTACH] I would steer clear of Greek or early Roman until you are a little more comfortable with ancients. Also, don't forget that Rome and Greece weren't the only classical cultures! A favorite of mine, the Western Satraps (Kshatrapas) of India, who were powerful trade intermediaries with Rome. Their silver drachms are usually in good shape, and I have never once seen one sell for more than $35 on ebay, even for the most choice specimen. This one was about $17 Rudrasena III [ATTACH=full]940014[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]
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