There is something very special about rare coins. No matter where in the world they came from, they usually have a very rich history and collectors will search to the ends of the earth to find that special rare coin that will complete their collection. Many of these coins will go at a premium price at auction, worth far more than they ever were when they were in circulation. Let’s look at a few of the different types of rare coins.

First up, you have rare coins from ancient civilizations. Whether it was an early coin from Mesopotamia, a Grecian coin or a Roman coin, these are usually the most valuable. However, they are also the ones that may be copied. If you see a lot of coins and the seller claims that they are all authentic, but the price seems too low, you may want to rethink your purchase. Truly ancient rare coins are typically very expensive. It is all too easy nowadays to replicate these coins and mass produce them.

Next, look for coins that are oddly shaped or made from rare materials. This shows that they were handmade and are typically older in origin. These are not very easy to find, but Greek coins are the perfect example of this. These rare coins were handmade and will frequently be just a little off of perfect. Some may even include the maker’s signature or mark, and these are very valuable indeed.

Other rare coins that are fun to collect coincide with specific eras in history. For example, many collectors look for coins produced during the French Revolution. This was the time period when the first Marianne’s were made, and they are incredibly collectible. Other examples would include confederate coins, from the US civil war, or coins that were produced by governments that are now extinct.

Whenever you are shopping for rare coins, it also pays to look for any errors that may be present. These are usually incredibly valuable, and although they are hard to find, it is very special when you do come across one. Examples of error coins include coins that are missing something from a design, or ones that may have blatant errors. Examining coins for these flaws is always interesting.

The rare coins that are the most valuable are usually the ones where only a few are left. Using the Morgan Silver dollar as an example, there is one variety where only a handful are accounted for. This gives collectors a challenge and the ability to experience the thrill of the hunt as they try to uncover that incredibly rare coin.

If you have not yet begun collecting rare coins, it’s a good idea to start thinking about which era or type of coin you might be interested in. For example, many collectors start off by picking the year they were born, or the coin that commemorates an event that is special to them. Once you get started with rare coin collecting, you’ll see just how exciting this hobby can be.

Originally posted 2008-08-29 05:00:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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As a link to the ancient world, coins are an incredibly popular way to capture this history. Thanks to the minting process and the metals that were used, we can still enjoy many ancient coins today. Greek coins are increasingly becoming more popular and their unique designs enhance any coin collection. For those that are looking to collect these coins, but are uncertain as to whether or not they are dealing with an authentic collectible, there are a few guidelines.

1. Check the Wear

An ancient coin will understandably look a bit old. In many cases, you are dealing with coins that were produced thousands of years ago. If the Greek coin you are looking at it is shiny, or has no visible signs of wear, there is a good chance that it is not authentic. Most collectors do not restore these coins since their wear is a sign of their true age. If you do find a coin that is in remarkable condition, there is a chance that it is authentic, but the chances are few and far between.

2. Check the Back

Ancient Greek coins will typically have a name engraved on the back, but it won’t be of a king or of anyone incredibly important. Instead, in this culture, it was customary for the person that actually minted the coin to put their own name on it. This was a unique practice and it offers a great way for the average collector to be able to authenticate a Greek coin. Since the vast majority of these coins bear some sort of engraving on the back, this will help you determine whether or not the coin is authentic.

3. Check the Design

Minting equipment was understandably not as advanced as today’s equipment and that means that very often, the designs on Greek coins will not be perfect. This is actually desirable and if you do find a coin that is too perfect, it is a major sign that it may not be authentic. Take the time to thoroughly examine the coin. If you cannot spot any flaws, there is a very good chance that it is not authentic.

4. Check the Certificate

Many ancient coins that have already been authenticated will have an accompanying certificate. While this can of course be forged, you can follow up with the person that did the appraisal and authentication. If you cannot contact them or they do not have any knowledge of the coin you are dealing with, it is best to save your money and find another Greek coin to buy.

5. Check the Shape

Last but not least, coins made during this period were quite often not perfectly round. Look for a slight deviation on your Greek coin. If it is slightly off, then this is a very good sign that it is authentic. Remember, many of these Greek coins were hand made, one at a time and whenever you are dealing with that kind of process, the chances for imperfections are very high.

Originally posted 2008-08-22 05:00:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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The third period is the Hellenistic period, which drew out until the Romans preoccupied the Greek world in the 1st century BCE. The Greek cities extended in order to create their own coins for additional cities under the rule of Rome. These coins were each completely handmade, and they depicted a wide variety of different scenes, buildings, figureheads and symbols.

All of the Ancient Greek coins were created by hand unlike how modern day coins are made. Ancient Greek coins were eventually invented in a kingdom known as Lydia, which is now known as Turkey, during 620 BCE. When the Ancient Greeks began to create Greek coins from the very start, these coins had a number of different figures, inscriptions and symbols that were specifically designed to exemplify the independence of the poleis.

Even though the Greeks were under the command of Hellenistic kings or autocrats, the Greeks were always generally independent in nature. Their coins were a great way for them to substantiate their independence throughout their history. In other words, Ancient Greek coins are a symbol of independence among a people that struggled with independence for many centuries. Ancient Greek coins are made up of historic pictures and symbols and are now perceived as being artistic, lending to the history of a true art. The examples of the oldest Greek coins are capable of including a lot of sanctified temples and buildings, and this permits individuals to understand how grand those buildings once were in Greek history and lore.

Greek coins, then, were a lot more than a simple system of commerce or a collection of carved or stamped metal. The purpose of Greek coins had so much more to do with independence and religious pride, meaning that they are extremely meaningful as history of art, and the history of a people that struggled for independence and flourished for many years despite being under the rule of others, including Hellenistic kings and the Romans. If you are looking for a type of collection that you can be proud to have in your possession, consider collecting Greek coins so that you can learn the history of a unique people and revel in the signs and symbols of their fight for independence. The more you learn about Greek coins, the better you will be able to benefit from collecting these unique coins.

Photo Credits: I likE plants!

Originally posted 2009-07-24 05:27:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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With that being said, there are some negatives to be had by adding old coins to your coin collection. If you are into coin collecting, take the time to think about the positives and negatives of adding old coins to your collection. This will help you to better understand whether or not these are the right coins to add to your hobby.

The Positives

One of the biggest benefits of collecting old coins comes from the history that these coins bring out. Individuals who are looking at old coins may view history in a way that they have never done before. They will think about how times were when the coin was collected and may even start to research the history of that time period.

These old coins are also fairly rare. The coins provide interest, excitement, and intrigue to those who may have become used to the normal feeling of collecting regular coins. Serious coin collectors get a thrill from buying old coins, as their rarity makes them quite a find.

The Negatives

The major negative that comes into play when people talk about old coins is the cost. Old coins are rare, and will therefore have a much higher cost than other coins that people try to collect. Individuals who have a relatively small coin collecting budget are going to find that they simply do not have the resources to collect these coins.

For many, these coins are also in bad shape. Many old coins fail to make it through the years without a hefty amount of scratches and dings. While some collect coins for their notoriety, others collect coins for their look. They fail to understand why they should collect a coin that is somewhat beat up, as it distracts from the beauty of the coin. In some cases, the coins are so beat up that they are not even visually appealing.

Finally, these coins can be difficult to keep and maintain. They often require special cleaning instructions, as individuals want to make sure that they do not ruin the coin. Those who do not have the patience for slow cleaning may not want to get these coins.

For some, the presumed negatives of collecting old coins are actually positives. For some, the traits that make old coins so interesting and unique are also what make them un-collectable. Each individual must truly think about coin collecting, their coin collection, and whether or not these coins fit into their needs. Looking into both the positives and negatives will help you to figure out if these coins will make it into your collection or not.

Photo Credits: Ancient Art

Originally posted 2011-07-06 03:20:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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