Collectors of Ancient Roman Coins

[Epictetus]

I've always wanted to start collecting Roman coins, but I have never had an idea where to start. I was worried about buying something illegally dug up. I never really wanted to collect large numbers of coins, but rather to get a few that had some meaning for me.

I would still like to do it someday, but perhaps I would need expert help. Are there legitimate agents out there, where you can tell them what you want and they will go out and find it legally for you?

[Lucius Rabirius]

I´m curious, i don´t know that much about Numismatic things. Is there any license or document from coin- merchants, that say, the coins are from normal context and legaly bought like from Christies or other auctioneers? Can you easily proof, something is legaly bought from merchant, so that you can buy with a clear conscience?

[caiusbeerquitius]

Actually you can´t. Even if it´s sold by one of the large auction sites you never can know where the coin really came from and how it was dug up. The usual "chain" here is: Dug up illegally, sold to a minor seller, sold to a private collection, sold to a large auction house... :roll:

[PhilusEstilius]

I find it difficult to accept that when ever ancient coins or artifacts come into discussion there are always those who take the attitude that it's wrong to dig these things out of the ground and sell them on.
I speak as an ardent metal detectorist who has had many years of pleasure from this hobby, and where one rescues such things from the ground in a legal and proper manner just where does it become a problem for given just a few more years there will be nothing left of them from modern insectisides.

[Lucius Rabirius]

I´m not in general against metal detection but as I know, every coin which is not in a museum, university or large state- collection could be found in illegal way likely. With my question (see above) I wanted to be sure, maybe I was not informed correctly or I forgot something.
So I dont want to collect coins and support illegal activities of some smugglars and private excavators, because of my hobby. But of course I also dont want to denounce or condemn someone, who collects ancient coins. If someone has good arguments against my opinion, you can convince me. But until then I will just collect cheap copies of museum- shops :mrgreen: . Also nice... a bit :wink: .

[Komet]

Actually you can´t. Even if it´s sold by one of the large auction sites you never can know where the coin really came from and how it was dug up. The usual "chain" here is: Dug up illegally, sold to a minor seller, sold to a private collection, sold to a large auction house... :roll:

This isn't necessarily true. There have been coin hoards that were properly excavated and cataloged and then redistributed through private auction houses that take care to verify the provenance of their collection because they sell predominately to academic institutions. For example, I've worked significantly with the University of Virginia Art Museum's relatively small collection of coins. Almost all were acquired 1987-2001 through legitimate channels; two collections were from the English hoards of Oliver's Orchard and Normanby. Example: http://coins.lib.virginia.edu/display-uva?id=n1991_17_4

It is possible for individual collectors to deal with auctions that verify provenance in accordance to UN regulations, but most collecting is done through the black market. I'm not opposed to collecting coins. I wish I had some coins myself. But purchasing coins through shady dealers and metal detector enthusiasts encourages damage of potentially valuable historic sites. Once the coins have been dug up, the stratigraphy of the site is ruined and potentially valuable information is lost forever. The coins as objects are less valuable to us than their context in the soil and the greater part they play in establishing the chronology of the ancient world.

[caiusbeerquitius]

Hi Ethan!

The usual "chain" here is

That´s why I had the relativating "usual" in there. There are some exceptions. Too few, though. ^^

[Lucius Rabirius]

Thanks for your postings, they helped quite much for my understandment. I still think, in general there is a too big black market for ancient coins, so you can be very seldom sure to buy coins from a legal shop without illegal activities.

But thanks to Komet for showing, that there are also other possible ways of coin- trade and that legal activities are possible, but sadly few and seldom. But there is hope :lol: .