Greek Coins

September 15th, 2009 | Ancient Coins, Coin Collecting, Greek Coins, ancient coin, ancient greek coins, coin collection, engraving, good chance, greek coin, history thanks, metals, minting process, remarkable condition, true age, unique designs, visible signs, world coins

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 Old Post Promoter

Related Posts

Coin Collecting 101 Coin collecting is an industry that has grown to encompass billions of dollars in sales. The earliest hobby of coin collecting is capable of being traced as far back as 1300 AD, which is when an Italian scholar known by the name of Fracesco Petrarca began to save coins and......
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......
Gold Coins Coins and Paper Money -> Coins: US -> Gold Before you decide to purchase gold coins, there are a few things that you need to know to avoid being taken advantage of. While most dealers are honest, it is vital to take these steps to ensure you are dealing with......
Gold Eagle Coins Coins & Paper Money -> Gold -> American Eagle Gold Eagle coins are American currency, first released in 1986, that contains the stated amount of actual gold weight claimed in troy ounces, with a silver and copper alloy added to make the coins less soft and more wear resistant. The......
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......

Related Websites

Presidential $1 coins for this year Another year, another four Presidential $1 coins from the US Mint. I actually saw the first pictures of the new coins over at Consumerism Commentary. Flexo uses the coins about as much as I do; the first couple of them I was showing everyone like I'd minted them myself. The......
zombies of widgeroo - chapter six /caption]chapter six - containing the magic of illusions, lesser conjuring, earth magic and alchemical symbology wrapped up in the lore of the apprentice. back in the late 1900s, the multinationals templar had dominated the globe. their enforcers, called managers, had amassed such fortunes that they invoked the gods of......
Stashing 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......
Free Money Opportunities Worth Over $200 In the past few weeks, I have been compiling a list of ways to make some money off sign up bonuses and giveaways. I have compiled a decent sized list, and have added to my sidebar under Featured section: Deals, Specials, and Freebies. And I would like to highlight a......
Marilyn Monroe Pictures Collectibles -> Memorabilia -> Movie Memorabilia -> Autographs - Original: Autographs - Reprints If you are looking for a great collector’s item that is in high demand, one of the hottest items you can find are Marilyn Monroe pictures. These photographs are always popular, but you may not always be......