Authentic coins these days?

November 29, 2020 11:46 AM

I can find a bunch of coins on eBay but I assume they are as likely as not to be fake. Where do the kids find authentic coins at relatively reasonable prices?

Online strongly preferred but if there's an SF Bay Area source that is really worth a visit I'm game for that. Looking for anything from 100-ish year old US coins to denarii.

posted by wnissen to Shopping (8 answers total)

If you're out for the experience of picking out coins for a collection, I can't help you.

But if you just want some old coins, one place is https://www.providentmetals.com/ where you can buy old silver dollars and other junk silver coins.
posted by Fukiyama at 1:22 PM on November 29, 2020 [2 favorites]

I went to Witter Coins in SF a long time ago- I'm not sure what they're doing re COVID but it's worth a visit if it's open. They also have some things available online.
posted by pinochiette at 2:04 PM on November 29, 2020 [1 favorite]

You can buy historic coins from Europe and Asia at Gaukler Medieval Wares. Medieval coins aren't as popular among collectors as Roman or rare American coins, so they're fairly inexpensive.
posted by yarntheory at 3:31 PM on November 29, 2020 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I get them at Forum Ancient Coins , which makes it sound like I buy a lot of coins. I don’t.
posted by OrangeVelour at 3:58 PM on November 29, 2020 [1 favorite]

You could try Bosco - if you email him he has a ton of coins that aren't listed. He's a bit eccentric but a good guy. For full disclosure I know him personally.
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 4:18 PM on November 29, 2020 [1 favorite]

The stuff on eBay is generally going to be real, though if you buy from a zero-feedback seller or someone with a ton of negatives you may have issues. As a buyer you have much more power than the seller, so you should be fine.
posted by Slinga at 4:24 PM on November 29, 2020 [3 favorites]

I tend to buy certified coins when buying from eBay to avoid the concern of counterfeits.
posted by jaden at 7:16 AM on November 30, 2020 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Forum Ancient Coins had some really cool stuff at reasonable prices, thanks OrangeVelour!
posted by wnissen at 9:49 AM on December 13, 2020