Collecting
Greek, Roman and Other Old Coins
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Collecting Greek, Roman, and Other Old Coins
By: Charles Roman
A Beginner’s Guide to Collecting Inexpensive Old Coins
Collecting old coins is like holding a piece of history right in your
hand. It is common to find affordable ancient Roman coins that are 1600
years old, and many are even 2000 years old or more. Imagine that the
ancient Roman denarius in your collection might once have bought
admission to the gladiator fights in the Coliseum or chariot races at
the Circus Maximum. The best thing about collecting old coins is that,
unlike other antiquities, ancient coins are remarkably affordable.
Because so many ancient coins have been discovered, and more are being
unearthed every day, it is possible to buy millennia-old coins for only
a few dollars apiece. For less than the cost of a movie ticket, you
could own a link to olden times.
Things You Should Look For While Buying Old Coins
Unless you are looking to spend some serious money on your
collection, the old coins that you buy will probably not be extremely
valuable as an investment. However, that should not undermine the thrill
of being able to own a genuine aged coin on a shoestring budget. There
are numerous places, both online and off, that sell inexpensive old
coins. The important thing to look for when buying these ancient coins
is that the coin is identifiable. It is disappointing to buy an aged
coin, only to realize that there is no way of telling what it actually
is. The best way to ensure that an ancient coin is identifiable is to be
certain that the writing and inscriptions on it are legible.
Buying Uncleaned Lots of Old Coins
Of course, there is another bargain option when buying ancient coins,
and that is to buy a lot of uncleaned coins. These are old coins that
have been unearthed in archaeologically rich areas like Italy or Greece,
but have not had the dirt and buildup of the centuries cleaned from
them. Uncleaned lots of elderly coins are exciting because you never
know if the coins will be so worn that there is nothing left but a
smooth piece of metal, or whether you will uncover a genuine rare coin.
You should be aware, however, that the likelihood of finding a
high-value gold or silver coin among uncleaned lots is extremely slim.
Furthermore, the reason why uncleaned lots are sold to begin with is
that cleaning old coins is a difficult endeavor in the best of
circumstances. Removing large amounts of dirt and debris from ancient
coins carries the risk of spoiling the coin.
How to Store Old Coins
Elderly coins, like elderly people, require tender handling. It is
important to remember that one of the vital factors regarding the value
of an old-time coin is the patina, or the sheen that builds up on the
surface of a coin over time. The last thing you want to do is to polish
an ancient silver coin so that it is bright and shining! When dealing
with old coins, you should only hold them by the edges, since the oil on
your hands can ruin the patina. Do not attempt to clean old coins on
your own without learning a lot about the proper techniques. Only a
veteran should attempt to clean a potentially valuable aged coin.
When storing old coins, always use acid-free materials; any other
kind of storage could damage the coin. You’ll need a safe place to keep
your ancient coins. Some options include mylar flips, acid-free plastic
sheets that go into three-ring binders, and even special collector’s
cases, if you want a particularly elegant look for your collection.
This article was posted on December 06, 2005
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