Hi. I'm completely new to coins and this board and have joined for a specific purpose. To give as Christmas presents I'm looking to source decent coins made between 0 and 33 AD. Hopefully in the price range of around 30-40 bucks but that's somewhat flexible. Would anyone have a suggestion as to possibly a specific coin I should look for and maybe where I could source possibly around a dozen of them? Thanks so much!
Hi, and welcome! In that price range and date range your best bet might be a prutah (plural: prutot). These tiny coins were minted in Judea during Roman rule. They are named according to the Roman Procurator responsible for the region during the time of the coin's minting. Look for prutot issued under procurators during the time of Augustus or Tiberius. You'll find a couple of versions issued by procurator Pontius Pilate. Those are usually more expensive though. Prutot are often sold in larger lots and that helps the price. The details on these coins are usually not great. Here are some search result links for Vcoins (a reputable place to buy): Issued under Augustus Issued under Tiberius Broadening the search to just "prutah" will give more hits (almost 1000 on Vcoins), including large lots. You'll find many by Herod Agrippa but those were struck after the date range you seek. Herod the Great prutot are often also sold in large lots but those date from 37-4 BC. An alternative worth considering are widow's mites (lepta; singular lepton), so named because of the bible reference. They are even smaller and were struck well before 1 AD. Search Vcoins for "widow's mite" to see the type. Good luck, and if I come across some good deals I'll shoot you a PM.
Some examples from various Vcoins sellers, showing what's available "retail" under $40: from Herakles Numismatics, issued under Valerius Gratus/Tiberius (15-26 AD), $30 from GoAncient, issued under Herod Archelaus/Augustus (4 BC- 6 AD), $26 from GoAncient, issued under Marcus Ambibulus/Tiberius (9-12 AD), $39 from GoAncient, issued under Valerius Gratus/Tiberius (15-26 AD), $26 from Vaughn Rare Coin Gallery, issued under Herod Archelaus/Augustus (4 BC - 6 AD), $17
Why so specific? (0-33 AD) ... are you wanting coins of Augustus Caesar? => sadly, you don't get much of an Augustus (or Tiberius) coin for $30-$40 ... http://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/roy..._otho_moneyer_struck_7_bc/552029/Default.aspx http://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/inc...ost_accession_type_scarce/436164/Default.aspx
Roman provincial coinage of Augustus and Tiberius (plus relatives) can still be had within the specified price range. Just for example: http://www.vcoins.com/en/Search.asp...00&SearchOnSale=False&searchOrderBy=price_asc
I suggest you go to www.vcoins.com & search for 1 B.C. & limit the search to whatever your max $ is. Then do the same search for 2 b.c., 3 b.c., etc. I just did this search & saw some really nice coins.
The first one that Steve linked is better than any in that price range I have seen for a while. It has a recognizable portrait of Caesar Augustus. That is one. You will not find a dozen. If you want a dozen, I'd contact David Hendin who wrote the book on mites. http://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/amphora_coins/3/Default.aspx?store_display_type=ancient He has been known to have bulk lots of unspectacular or common mites. Whoever you contact, be very clear on the number and price range and if it is important that they match (so as not to start fights at Sunday School????).
hey, somebody bought it ... bradley, hopefully you were the lucky purchaser (otherwise, wow => that's such bad-form!!) eeccchh
A word to the wise: if you have questions about a specific coin that you're interested in buying, ask the questions by PM! All of us regulars have a code of honor about such things, but the open forum is just that: open.
Yes indeed harrumpff! You know I was afraid something like that would happen before I had a chance to get back. Well, thanks for the help. I'm afraid I'm not too adept at searching for these kinds of things on the net; or at least know where the deals would be. If anyone wants to send me a pm or email I'd love to take a look at more of what's available. My email is my user name here, then at gogl mail. Yes that's the main idea with my presents here is that they were created between 0 and 33AD and that the were circulated in the area where Jesus may have lived. If I'm not able to collect enough of these for presents maybe I should be looking for other types of similar artifacts in addition to. You guys probably being better historians than I what would be a similar type of 'ancient present' I could be on the lookout for? Something that can be reasonably dated to the time period. The reason I'm going for coins is that they can be reasonably well dated according to who was in charge when they were made. But if other items meet my general criteria I'd be happy to take a look.
Anyone know how to get in contact with David Hendin? I found his address at numismatics.org but I'm not sure if that's the best way to get a hold of him.
Doug's link to his Vcoins store has a contact page. Here are the email addresses: AmphoraCoins@aol.com amphoracoins@vcoins.com Good luck with your hunt! I'm sure you'll be able to find enough suitable coins and the recipients will probably be awed
