How to Collect Ancient Coins

You may be wondering why people decide to collect ancient coins. Sometimes, history buffs are merely looking for a definitive link to the past. Other times, it's the beauty and elegance of these ancient forms of currency which drive the collectors in by the droves. Whatever your reason for collecting ancient coins is, make sure you understand how to spot a fake coin, how to avoid paying too much for one and who you should buy from.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ancient coins reference materials

Collect Ancient Coins

1. Figure out what culture you would like to specialize in. While it is possible to collect ancient coins from various civilizations, you're more likely to have success by sticking with one culture. This is because you can take the time to immerse yourself in the styles, metals and designs used by the civilization you're interested in, which can help you avoid fakes.

2. Decide a budget beforehand. Collecting ancient coins can be an exciting pursuit, and it's easy to get caught up in the moment and spend more than you anticipated. Setting a cap ahead of time will preserve your funds and allow you to make more purchases in the future.

3. Become familiar with the coins you want to collect. There are a variety of coffee table books on the market that feature ancient coins from around the world. You can also look into the book 'Ancient Coin Collecting' by Wayne G. Sayles, available through Amazon.com (see Resources below), a comprehensive guide on coins from the Greek and Roman Empires.

4. Find a dealer specializing in the coins you want who is supported by a reputable organization, such as the American Numismatic Association (see Resources below). This way, you'll feel more confident that you're purchasing authentic coins.

5. Ask for documentation and a guarantee before you commit to purchase anything. Reputable dealers usually offer a lifetime guarantee, meaning should you find out the coins are not authentic during the dealer's lifetime, you can get your money refunded.

Tips & Warnings

• When possible, try to visit a coin in person before you commit to buy. This will give you an up-close look at it's structure and engravings, and will allow you to feel its true weight.
• Be vigilant about forgeries. The ancient coin market is overrun with fake antiquities. The inconsistencies, composition and variations in ancient coins make them particularly susceptible to forgery, since there is usually no 'standard' for a country in a given time period.

Resources

• American Numismatic Association for further research
• 'Ancient Coin Collecting' by Wayne G. Sayles at Amazon.com