| A Beginner's Guide to Collecting Inexpensive Old | | | | been unearthed in archaeologically rich areas like |
| Coins | | | | Italy or Greece, but have not had the dirt and |
| Collecting old coins is like holding a piece of history | | | | buildup of the centuries cleaned from them. |
| right in your hand. It is common to find affordable | | | | Uncleaned lots of elderly coins are exciting |
| ancient Roman coins that are 1600 years old, and | | | | because you never know if the coins will be so |
| many are even 2000 years old or more. Imagine | | | | worn that there is nothing left but a smooth piece |
| that the ancient Roman denarius in your collection | | | | of metal, or whether you will uncover a genuine |
| might once have bought admission to the gladiator | | | | rare coin. You should be aware, however, that the |
| fights in the Coliseum or chariot races at the | | | | likelihood of finding a high-value gold or silver coin |
| Circus Maximum. The best thing about collecting | | | | among uncleaned lots is extremely slim. |
| old coins is that, unlike other antiquities, ancient | | | | Furthermore, the reason why uncleaned lots are |
| coins are remarkably affordable. Because so | | | | sold to begin with is that cleaning old coins is a |
| many ancient coins have been discovered, and | | | | difficult endeavor in the best of circumstances. |
| more are being unearthed every day, it is possible | | | | Removing large amounts of dirt and debris from |
| to buy millennia-old coins for only a few dollars | | | | ancient coins carries the risk of spoiling the coin. |
| apiece. For less than the cost of a movie ticket, | | | | How to Store Old Coins |
| you could own a link to olden times. | | | | Elderly coins, like elderly people, require tender |
| Things You Should Look For While Buying Old | | | | handling. It is important to remember that one of |
| Coins | | | | the vital factors regarding the value of an old-time |
| Unless you are looking to spend some serious | | | | coin is the patina, or the sheen that builds up on |
| money on your collection, the old coins that you | | | | the surface of a coin over time. The last thing |
| buy will probably not be extremely valuable as an | | | | you want to do is to polish an ancient silver coin |
| investment. However, that should not undermine | | | | so that it is bright and shining! When dealing with |
| the thrill of being able to own a genuine aged coin | | | | old coins, you should only hold them by the edges, |
| on a shoestring budget. There are numerous | | | | since the oil on your hands can ruin the patina. Do |
| places, both online and off, that sell inexpensive | | | | not attempt to clean old coins on your own |
| old coins. The important thing to look for when | | | | without learning a lot about the proper techniques. |
| buying these ancient coins is that the coin is | | | | Only a veteran should attempt to clean a |
| identifiable. It is disappointing to buy an aged coin, | | | | potentially valuable aged coin. |
| only to realize that there is no way of telling what | | | | When storing old coins, always use acid-free |
| it actually is. The best way to ensure that an | | | | materials; any other kind of storage could damage |
| ancient coin is identifiable is to be certain that the | | | | the coin. You'll need a safe place to keep your |
| writing and inscriptions on it are legible. | | | | ancient coins. Some options include mylar flips, |
| Buying Uncleaned Lots of Old Coins | | | | acid-free plastic sheets that go into three-ring |
| Of course, there is another bargain option when | | | | binders, and even special collector's cases, if you |
| buying ancient coins, and that is to buy a lot of | | | | want a particularly elegant look for your collection. |
| uncleaned coins. These are old coins that have | | | | |