Coins and Paper Money -> Coins – Ancient -> Greek Coins
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
Related Posts -
Beginning Coin Collecting If there are people in your life who you think would enjoy beginning coin collecting, then there are some great resources that can help. Many websites assist parents and friends of those who are interested in beginning coin collecting to learn the basics about coins and what's available. Once a...... -
Collecting Uncirculated Coins and Proof Coins The unique thing about coin collections is that there is a myriad of different ways to start a coin collection, and you can collect a wide variety of different coins or a small variety of very special coins depending on your interest. One of the options for coin collecting that...... -
Military Coins Coins and Paper Money -> Coins US -> Coins - World Whether you were once in the military, or you are a collector all of things militaria, military coins are a great and valuable item to start amassing. There are many different kinds of military coins that are currently available...... -
The Art of Ancient Coin Collecting Coins have been treated as a method of currency for as many as thousands of years now. Collecting these little pieces of ancient history has become an extremely popular past time among many people. For many people, the idea of ancient coin collecting has become a true passion as well...... - Russian Coins Coins & Paper Money -> Coins: World -> Russia Russian coins have recently become a popular investment, with many of the popular dealers selling out of supplies, and some older and more rare coins earning over $45,000 at auction. Many people gave up on Russian coin collecting in 2007 because......
Related Websites - Earn Higher Interest with a Rewards Checking Account Internet banks have become a popular place to stash money that we don't want to invest and may not need for everyday use. The original attraction of the online banks was that they paid higher interest rates on savings and money market accounts than we could find at traditional local......
-
Be Wary of Cashier’s Checks The internet has created a new dynamic in the world of the con artist. Previously the con artist would actually have to meet the victim, pretend that they were friends, and convince the victim to place his or her trust in the con artist. All that has changed since the...... -
Selling Autographed Memorabilia Most of the people that own autographed memorabilia do not even think about parting ways with their beloved memorabilia. They look at their autographed memorabilia as true crowning achievements in their collections. Unfortunately, there may eventually come a time in their life where they need to part with their autographed...... - Useful Tips For Getting the Best Car Lease Deals by Robert Brown When you are looking for the best lease deals for cars, you can find them easily. You just have to look for them the smart way. You should find the deals that help you save the most on any car and are most suitable for you. Here......
-
How To Get The Best Deal When Signing Up For Cable Or Satellite TV For the longest time I vowed that I would never pay for cable or satellite TV. For the first 33 years of my life, I didn't, and I got along just fine. My wife and I do enjoy movies and TV, but we had found ways to get our favorite......
