Greek Coins

Coins and Paper Money -> Coins – Ancient -> Greek Coins

Greek CoinsAs 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

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • rupeeindiaFinding Great Coins at Coin Auction There are many different ways you can add coins to your collection. You can purchase them through other collectors. You can purchase them through coin shops. You can even have them handed down to you from people you know including family members. One of the ways which is becoming more......
  • Rare CoinsRare Coins Coins and Paper Money -> Ancient Coins -> Persian, Indian, Asian 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......
  • athenaEarn a Profit Collecting Rare Coins If you are looking to earn a profit with a unique type of collection, then one of the collection options that you may want to consider is rare coins. When you are collecting coins for the purpose of an investment, then it is probably going to follow that you are......
  • currencycollectionThe Customs of Coin Collecting The world of coin collecting is a fascinating and interesting world that has plenty of quirks and distinctive traits. The world of coin collecting is slightly different than many other forms of collecting, catching may first-time collectors somewhat off guard. If you are thinking about getting into coin collecting and......
  • coinvalueDetermining Rare Coin Values in Your Collection When you are deciding whether or not you would like to add a specific coin to your collection, one of the things that you are going to want to take into account is rare coin values. The rare coin values that you find will ultimately be determined by availability of......
Blog Traffic Exchange Related Websites
  • stashcashStashing Your Cash If you want to access your money quickly, where do you put it? Where do you hide your emergency fund, in a cookie jar, a safe or in the bank? Knowing where to stash your cash is vitally important, and so here are some of the options that are available......
  • coinstacksCoin Collector Shop Myths Coin collector shops can be intimidating places for those who are unfamiliar with them. These coin collector shops are filled with various types of currency, with staggering numbers of both old and new currency sitting around the store. If you have never been in a coin collector shop, you may......
  • proofkennedy3 Facts about Coin Proof Sets or Coin Mint Sets Anyone who is getting into the world of coin collecting needs to know some information about proof sets and coin mint sets. This is because these types of coin sets can be very valuable in some cases. By having a basic understanding of coin mint sets you will be better......
  • numismaticmuseumathensgreece3 Signs You Are in a Good Rare Coin Store There are quite a few places you can choose to purchase a rare coin from. One of the places where many people will frequent to buy the coins that they want is a rare coin store. This is a great location to be able to find the coins that you......
  • IMG_0260Finding Coin Dealers in Your Area There are plenty of different coin dealers that are going to be within a reasonable distance from where you live. The trick is to be able to identify these different coin dealers. While some work out of actual offices and public buildings that operate as stores, others operate in the......
Online Stores

Email Updates

budget circulation coin auctions Coin Collecting coin collecting software coin collection coin collections coin collector coin collectors coin dealers coins coin shop coin shops coin value collecting coins collections commemorative coins counterfeits currencies currency currency collection double eagle face value Foreign Currency Gold Coins hobbies mint mint condition money numismatics obverse old money paper currency paper money paper money collection rare coin Rare Coins rarity saint gaudens selling coins silver coins silver dollar united states mint US Coins us mint