Finding Lost Provenance on Ancient Coins Introduction Perhaps the most fundamental aspect of ancient coin collecting is figuring out where an ancient coin has been. Provenance, or pedigree, is the term often given to coins that have a previously established history. There are two types of provenance in the field of numismatics. One type refers to coins that have been in private collections and carefully taken care of, over a span usually consisting of a decade or more. These coins will have collection tickets, namesakes, tags, or any other identifier stating which collection they have belonged ..read more

Description The two silver bars are of a size weighing about an ounce or two each inscribed simply with "Hudson River Mine" and "Little Chief Mine." Both bars display the initials "D.G.T., Panamint" beneath the mine names. They resemble ingots from the 1860s to early 1870s leading to curiosity about the identity of "DGT." The mystery was quickly solved. Daniel G. Tipton was the person matching those initials. He along with partners James Ewing and John Copely staked, located and eventually incorporated the Hudson River silver mine on September 23 1873. The Little Chief mine had been staked by ..read more

Introduction         The Ptolemaic kingdom, derived from the original territories conquered by Alexander the Great, had a brief existence and was one of the four regions that emerged after Alexander's demise. The main Diadochi, the four successors, engaged in conflicts to claim control over these territories. Spanning over 275 years from 305 to 30 BC, the kingdom witnessed the rule of at least 18 kings, with the majority bearing names such as Ptolemy or Kleopatra. Ptolemy I Soter, Alexander's trusted general, founded the dynasty by conquering Egypt in the War ..read more

When it comes to selling your valuable coins, finding the right marketplace can make all the difference in maximizing your profits. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Fear not, as we delve into the world of coin selling, exploring the various avenues to unlock the hidden value of your precious collection. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of selling your coins and show you where to find the best returns. Whether you're a seasoned collector or have recently inherited a coin collection, understanding the different platforms avai ..read more

  A Brief History of Early Britain Through Coinage (50 BC-1750 AD)   Britain as a Colony of Rome             The beginnings of British coinage lie in the dawn of the Roman Empire. The First Triumvirate emerged from a confluence of ambition, power, and discontent with the Senate's authority. Pompey, a staunch supporter of Sulla, rose to prominence through military might, while Crassus's immense wealth bolstered his influence. Caesar, a scion of an esteemed lineage, possessed an extraordinary persona and an innate ability to sway t ..read more

Emergency Issues, Reforms, and the Beginnings of the Civil War   In 57 AD emperor Nero prevented the senate from issuing coinage and took hold of the Roman treasury for his personal gain. This was so Nero could be able to tax the Roman people to fund his golden palace. Nero increased the volume of taxed goods through trade, while limiting the direct tax. However, after a short period of time and a complete disaster with funding and the economy, the Roman senate stepped in and appealed the new tax reform. To Nero's dismay, he decided a complete reformation of coinage was necessary to meet ..read more

              The hammered coin is not simply a single denomination. It is a series of coins that were minted throughout a twelve century timespan in the Medieval period. These coins are often crude copies of Roman coins or thin and wavy silver flans. After the fall of the Roman empire decentralized societies forgot the knowledge of the past and had to reinvent themselves. They had the influence of Rome, just without the government. It was hard to readjust during these troubling times. Many of the coins minted were in large quantities ..read more

With Greek coins, nearly everything is exceedingly rare. Due to extensive circulation and power struggles, many nations completely abandoned and melted certain types. In the cases of nations like Crete and Sardis, they were so small that local coinage was minted in extremely minuscule amounts. Even with the most famous types, there may be only a few dozen known examples.   A common coin with extreme historical significance may command a higher premium than a coin with only a few dozen known examples. Coins of Lysimachus or Alexander the Great are highly popular among novice collectors an ..read more

 The Greek and Roman Historians and Philosophers; the Adaptation of Coinage Over Time    A phrase commonly circulated throughout the ancient numismatic community is the title “historian”. Indeed we look at this word through the lens of a modern day perspective, but it has been a term that is ever-changing and widely controversial. Just as we look up to the great figures of history, they too looked up to others before them, and then so–it is a dynamic paradox that seeks its roots in the beginning of humanity. We are driven through our inspiration to act according to what we find ..read more

Advice on Collecting Indian Head Pennies from an Indian Head Cent & Flying Eagle Cent Specialist.   Variety is the spice of life, and this statement couldn’t more aptly describe my obsession with Indian Head Cent varieties. My interest in these varieties didn’t come from coin collecting family members or attending coin shows at a young age, but rather fate. When I was 14 years old, I randomly stumbled across a YouTube video describing how rare errors in circulation could be found & cherry picked from regular bankrolls. I vaguely remember the title of the video was something t ..read more