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Very Rare Ancient Coins Rediscovered In University Library
theboz11
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- If you have ever needed proof that gold and silver has always been a store of value then you should take a class at the University of Buffalo (UB).
On Wednesday, the university announced what they have dubbed “the discovery of the century” as a collection of 55 ancient Greek and Roman coins were unearthed from its library archives.
The rediscovery was made by Philip Kiernan, an assistant professor at UB. In an interview with Kitco News, Kiernan said the collection hasn’t been touched for decades. When he was first researching the existence of the coins, Kiernan said that he wasn’t expecting see an extensive collection maybe “one or two coins and some replicas.”
“I was so struck by the collection… we had coins from the most important Greek city states. The kind of coins you see in the text books,” he said. “They were never lost but they appear to have been forgotten about.”
According to the university this is the first time the coins will be extensively studied. The coins range in dates from the fifth century B.C. to the late first century A.D.
The collection contains Greek silver and gold coins and 12 gold coins of the first Roman emperors, from Julius Caesar to Domintian. One of the “remarkably rare” coins is of the Roman emperor Otho who only ruled for three months but still had gold coins struck for his reign.
Found what was not really lost.
On Wednesday, the university announced what they have dubbed “the discovery of the century” as a collection of 55 ancient Greek and Roman coins were unearthed from its library archives.
The rediscovery was made by Philip Kiernan, an assistant professor at UB. In an interview with Kitco News, Kiernan said the collection hasn’t been touched for decades. When he was first researching the existence of the coins, Kiernan said that he wasn’t expecting see an extensive collection maybe “one or two coins and some replicas.”
“I was so struck by the collection… we had coins from the most important Greek city states. The kind of coins you see in the text books,” he said. “They were never lost but they appear to have been forgotten about.”
According to the university this is the first time the coins will be extensively studied. The coins range in dates from the fifth century B.C. to the late first century A.D.
The collection contains Greek silver and gold coins and 12 gold coins of the first Roman emperors, from Julius Caesar to Domintian. One of the “remarkably rare” coins is of the Roman emperor Otho who only ruled for three months but still had gold coins struck for his reign.
Found what was not really lost.
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<< <i>There is a suggestion by an Otho specialist over at Forum that the Otho may not be authentic but an early copy. It'll be interesting to see how this all turns out. >>
Interesting. Wonder if it is gold at all. If an ancient forgery presumably it has base metal core with gold plating. If modern forgery it could be gold. I don't think this condemns the other coins, but you never know.
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<< <i>Another case of Grand Theft Otho??
Obligatory moan....
This is very cool but also a bit sad as I can imagine the scenario (whether the case here, or in general at universities anywhere) where coins were bequeathed by some dedicated alum - who no doubt envisioned a grand display providing education to decades of students - and instead they were boxed, stored and forgotten. If you aren't going to enjoy the coins then you should sell them to someone who will. Purging is a win-win every time.
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