Uncleaned ancients.

Kurt4 · July 2, 2005 10:17AM

Antbody ever buy any? I know I won't get anything of value, but is it worth the time and effort? Is it fun? It looks sort of neat. Thanks for any comments.

lordmarcovan · July 2, 2005 11:35AM

Yeah, I bought a batch once. Most folks have tried it. I cleaned mine by tumbling them overnight in a rock tumbler filled with ordinary beach sand. They came out pretty nice. Most were common fourth century coins, but one was a strange provincial piece, I think, and one was Byzantine.

It's fun. Don't believe the shysters who claim that gold and silver were found in their lots.

There's one fella who used to say "NO gold and silver found!" in his auction titles. (The message being, "I'm honest enough not to make ridiculous claims".) While I never bought from him, that's probably the kind of person I'd buy from- somebody who lays off the hype.

Aethelred · July 2, 2005 12:33PM

I agree with what Rob has said about the silver and gold, you will not find any and anyone who claims otherwise is not being honest with you!

Buying such lots can be fun if there are some IDable coins in the group. I bought one or two lots in my early days, nothing special in there, but a good learning experience.

Kurt4 · July 2, 2005 4:17PM

Thanks guys---I'll probably tyr it too. I love that "gold and silver found" line. I'm sure it WAS found, and kept, by the original diggers.

rhound1977 · July 2, 2005 8:47PM

I have bought a half dozen or so uncleaned from >>> Forumancientcoins.com it was from a bin he had at a show locally here
these coins weren't junk they were just uncleaned and unatributed, I got like five or 6 for $20.00 and then Joe (owner) and I looked them over cleaned them up a bit.

One of the coins was worth what I spent on all of them. The site also has a lot of good info and eye candy....

I am not plugging them, but they are a member of our club so I know Joe.

BigAlan · July 3, 2005 12:34PM

Don't believe the shysters who claim that gold and silver were found in their lots.

Like the people who find and sell them can't tell the difference between bronze and gold by weight.

ColinCMR · July 3, 2005 1:08PM

I bought 10 for around $12 USD off of eBay a few years ago. I sat them in olive oil for probably 6 months or so and every so often I rinsed them to see if they were cleaned.

Some cleaned quicker than others, they were found in the Balkans and three or four were really nice F+, one had a shovel scrape on it, and a few are poorly struck and worn, making them hard to ID. They were all from the 4th century, except for a nice one from Carus which was a silvered antoninianus.

If you'd like I can look up the seller for you, I would buy from them again.

Kurt4 · July 4, 2005 5:20AM

Thanks ColinCMR but I'm keeping my eye on a couple of lots now. Thanks for all of the input and guidance.

ColinCMR · July 4, 2005 11:46AM

Happy collecting! I actually checked eBay and the user is not registered anymore anyway.

I recommend the slower methods of cleaning because they are generally the gentlest on the metal and patina (the very topl layer of metal, exposed to the elements), but it's hard to be patient.

mojoman · July 4, 2005 3:29PM

Hi,I have purchased 30+ coins ,I got 2 silver ,nice shape also a few very id-able and great condition,BUT..... the rest not so good ,I have tried differant sellers and found most can pick thru the gold and silver ,they will let a few silver get out ,for the feedback I am sure, but all in all the ones that are the best was worth the investment , so if can find a good one out ,let me know also (most go to my neices and nepews ,or for school projects for the kids ) but I am keeping the best for my self

mojo

Uncleaned ancients.

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