Collecting Greek, Roman, And Other Old Coins
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.


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