Hello Soupbone,
I totally understand the thrill. I know you can't see it now, but these guys see people like you coming. Personally, I have many of the very same coin that you have posted a picture of and I have tried to sell these in the same condition at shows for years for $7.00 each and have a hard time getting rid of them for that price. Now, putting them on the internet and selling them to people who don't know any better; well, for some, that is priceless.
I paid roughly 24.00 for a coin or two that came across the world to Alabama from a time 1700 some odd years ago to my doorstep where I uncovered it myself from a dirt ball and cleaned it to what you see in these photos. Don't think I will sell this one. I think I will do it again because It was worth the thrill the first time. My children are learning a great deal too when I show it to them and tell the story behind it. Personally I do not think I am getting ripped off.
I've seen this go on for many years. I know people personally who are my friends who USED to do the very same thing as you who now have a lot of 'junk' coins after having spent a small fortune. The only reason that I try to caution people (and educate them) regarding this is because I would like to see more people learn more about ancient Roman coins and become REAL, knowledgeable collectors. Instead of people being taken advantage of.
I am glad to hear about your children learning from this and you telling them the story behind it. However, I would be careful of giving them false/untrue or inaccurate information. Kids learn fast, and they may get into this even deeper than you. If they do, they may come back to correct you. And you may not look so smart to them at that point. I think that what you tell them now, from the little that you know, may be more akin to "tall tales" than something of real substance. Just try to put this into perspective so that you have a realistic view of it all.
Tell, me this, to you, is this just a passing interest? Or is it something that you really want to know a great deal more about? What are your true motives in this? Is it a thrill derived from the perceived idea of a chance at instant wealth, or is it something more substancial? If it is only the idea of a chance at a get-rich-quick thing, then you will lose interest in the subject of ancient Roman coins and history (at least to some degree) and go on to something else. Is your interest a truly noble one? That is something that I think you should ask yourself and then think about it as something that you may or may not want to pass along to your children.
You want to be a good example to them, I would think. I understand all that you have said. And I know that there are a lot of people here who visit and post to TN who have the very same kind of thrill that you describe and get it in much the same way. I have felt that way and still do (I still get excited about finding something of great value); but I have become much more honest with myself about it and hope that others will too. There are far too many people who are into things for selfish reasons and they do not realize that they are not being particularly good examples for the next generation. Just something to think about. I wish you well. I am sure that there will be many more opportunities for you to discover thrilling things - both for your own pleasure and for you to share with your children. Kindest regards,
JDSCOIN
BTW, if you want to learn more about ancient Roman coins I would start by learning about each of the Roman emperors. You can make a timeline of them for yourself and your kids and collect coins from each. That is one way that people begin to learn and collect these coins. This can help you to become familiar with what coins of what emperors are rare and which are not (generally speaking).
Then as you go along, you can learn about the history of each and the denomination of coins that were used in each period. I know that a lot of people want to learn more and if I can find the time to do so, I would like to create a site that can help to do that.
. At this point your kids couldn't care less if they were million dollar coins or ten cent coins, bottom line your spending quality time for the children, my little one loves coins, she doesn't know an indian head from a roosevelt....yet. Just my two uncleaned Roman cents worth.
