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ignorant question about ancients

docday2003docday2003 Posts: 1,100
in World & Ancient Coins Forum
I have a situation that some of you may be able to help me with. As some of you may be aware, I am primarily a collector of Canadian coins. As a diversion from my usual collecting habits, I've taken to collecting a few world coins. I'm now interested in picking up at least one coin from each century in the history of the world (that is any century that we have evidence of coins being minted). Here's the beginnings of the set. As you can see I have at least one coin from the 1500s, 1700's, 1800's, 1900's, and 2000s. Yeah, yeah, I know it's just a pathetic beginning, but I hope it will get better with time. Anyhow, here's my problem. It seems that almost all of the coins older than the 1500s are either sold raw, or are certified by a TPG other than PCGS. For the sake of having my coins in a homogenous group, I am hoping to keep the collection in PCGS holders. So, does anyone know where I can find coins for my set?

What I want are premium representations of the coins from each century. It doesn't really matter which country they are from, but the coin has to be a top notch example of the type. Additionally, I don't want every century to be represented by the same country...for instance, I don't want each century to be represented by China (or it wouldn't really be a World set). Sorry for being so wordy, but any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Comments

  • spoonspoon Posts: 2,798 ✭✭✭
    I haven't kept up with the debate over which TPG is planning on stepping into ancients - I'm pretty sure NGC covers a broad area, but PCGS cuts off somewhere.

    That said, you'll have no problem completing the set with the assistance of VCoins image Early medieval European stuff might be one of the tougher areas if you're going for top quality, but don't forget all the obscure Central Asian states and such! Lot's of really interesting stuff there like Turkoman figural bronzes, Sassanid drachms, etc. Another good source for top quality material is Jean Elsen, based in Belgium.

    Good luck! image

    BTW, I'd really like to see a pic of that French douzain in your registry! image

    My wantlist & references

  • docday2003docday2003 Posts: 1,100
    thanks for the response. I've looked at vcoins before, and have never seen a pcgs graded ancient coin...have you? Thanks in advance.
  • newsmannewsman Posts: 2,658 ✭✭✭
    I don't think I've ever seen a coin older than the 1500s certified by PCGS, though I have a couple from NGC.

    Edited to add: The pop reports show Brit coins graded by PCGS going back to the 10th century, so there's a few.
  • docday2003docday2003 Posts: 1,100
    yeah, that's a pain. Unfortunately I also have seen a few very cool coins in ngc holders. In fact I recently bought one in the new abomination holder from ngc. The coin is very cool, but the holder is not. And it doesn't look right next to my stacks of pcgs graded coins. image
  • newsmannewsman Posts: 2,658 ✭✭✭
    I've been putting together a century set as well, and using ICG coins to fill out the Middle Ages dates. My 14th century coin is an NGC-graded Naples gigliato from Robert the Wise (1309-1343), which is both affordable and easy to find in nice shape.
  • BigAlanBigAlan Posts: 311 ✭
    I have at least one coin from the 1500s, 1700's, 1800's, 1900's, and 2000s.

    Only about 20 to go.
    "It is good for the state that the people do not think."

    Adolf Hitler
  • docday2003docday2003 Posts: 1,100


    << <i>I have at least one coin from the 1500s, 1700's, 1800's, 1900's, and 2000s.

    Only about 20 to go. >>



    yeah, you're right, if you count only my pcgs coins. However, one of my favorite coins is the one I alluded to above...a 1199-1216 G.Britain Penny S-1350C John London. Depending on how you counted it, I suppose it might cover the 1100s and 1200s! image I'm still hopeful, however, that there is a way to get PCGS graded coins for these years. Any suggestions?
  • ASUtoddASUtodd Posts: 1,312 ✭✭
    As far as I know PCGS does not slab ancients. You will have to go with NGC or ANACS.
    www.GoASU.com
  • DoogyDoogy Posts: 4,508 ✭


    << <i>thanks for the response. I've looked at vcoins before, and have never seen a pcgs graded ancient coin...have you? Thanks in advance. >>




    PCGS doesn't grade ancients, NGC does.

    you mentioned you want premium and top notch examples. You just missed the NG SA auction where two million dollar plus NGC ancient coins were sold, and a couple six figure examples. Also, NGC graded a slew of six figure ancients in the Millennia Collection auction. They also have graded a ton of five figure examples already that are out there. If you keep you eye open, they may pop up in various auctions or private treaty sales if you ask around.

  • newsmannewsman Posts: 2,658 ✭✭✭
    I've had a bigger problem finding Dark Ages stuff than ancients. There aren't many affordable options from the 5th through the 12th centuries, especially if you don't want them all to be Byzantine.

    Here's what I have so far:

    5th century -- none
    6th century -- Byzantine AE follis of Justinian I
    7th century -- none
    8th century -- Abbasid AR dinar of Yazid I
    9th century -- none
    10th century -- none
    11th century -- none
    12th century -- Kingdom of Jerusalem AR denar of Baldwin III
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