My aunt’s husband passed. She showed me his collection. Darkside, mostly.

renomedphys · September 12, 2025 10:03PM

Here’s a pic:

I gotta admit, it has a certain allure. She says it’s a fairly complete set of the “emperors.” And she says I’m the only one she can think to leave it to.

He did have a few interesting colonials, and some US gold. This one is a 1794 Kentucky that’s essentially the same size and weight as a US Mint cent so naturally I snapped a pic.

The raw ancients were sure neat to hold in my hands, even though so many were impaired in some way.

This seems like a slippery slope for a guy like me.

Advice?

Thanks

VKurtB · September 12, 2025 10:19PM

Here’s how severe MY sickness is - I’m drawn to the blue Abafil trays. (Assuming they are the classic Abafil size.)

yosclimber · September 12, 2025 10:45PM

The ancient Roman coins in the trays look very nice.
A few years ago I helped a guy identify a pretty large ancient coin collection left when his brother in law passed away.
I had fun learning how to read the legends and identify the symbols.
I started by photographing all of them,
and then in my spare time in the evenings I identified them from the photos.

It had quite a few Roman empress coins, with the hair styles of the day.
Coins were somewhat like the mass media of that time!

Although after the fun learning, I did not feel particularly motivated to start collecting ancient Roman coins.
I think it's because when I think of the Roman empire, I think mostly of tyranny and slavery,
although there were also some good emperors. I like ancient Greek coins a bit more.

CaptHenway · September 12, 2025 11:08PM

The Kentucky looks bad. The ancients need to be looked at by someone competent. What state are the coins in? I’ll try to find somebody near them.

renomedphys · September 13, 2025 6:57AM

The coins are in Savannah and our intent is to bring them in to the Spring ANA and talk to Harlan Berk from whom he bought a lot of these.

CaptHenway · September 13, 2025 7:40AM

@renomedphys said:
The coins are in Savannah and our intent is to bring them in to the Spring ANA and talk to Harlan Berk from whom he bought a lot of these.

Great idea. I used to work there in the U.S. coin department.
Suggest that you make an appointment to meet with Aaron Berk when you bring them in, so that he is not away at a show or something.

7Jaguars · September 13, 2025 7:58AM

Looks to be a fair number with some silver Roman Republican era coins there on the left trays with possibly ? 3rd Cent. AD coins in the right trays. Good luck on the ID and if you happen to remember, do post the better ones... I wonder what stimulated "Unc" to collect these - the stories tend to be interesting.

renomedphys · September 13, 2025 8:32AM

@VKurtB said:
Here’s how severe MY sickness is - I’m drawn to the blue Abafil trays. (Assuming they are the classic Abafil size.)

I don’t know for sure, but there is also a small briefcase like box that exactly holds the trays tight so none of the coins fall out. I thought that was pretty neat.

I doubt these will ever be sold. In all likelihood I will endeavor to find a better Otho (the last big search) and keep them for future generations to enjoy.

Cheers!

VKurtB · September 13, 2025 8:38AM

@renomedphys said:

@VKurtB said:
Here’s how severe MY sickness is - I’m drawn to the blue Abafil trays. (Assuming they are the classic Abafil size.)

I don’t know for sure, but there is also a small briefcase like box that exactly holds the trays tight so none of the coins fall out. I thought that was pretty neat.

I doubt these will ever be sold. In all likelihood I will endeavor to find a better Otho (the last big search) and keep them for future generations to enjoy.

Cheers!

Absolutely a SUPERB plan.

My aunt’s husband passed. She showed me his collection. Darkside, mostly.

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