My Bargain Coin Haul: Treasures I Purchased Today

The Thrill of the Find

I’m still buzzing from today’s score – eight mysterious old coins for just 20 quid (about $27) from an online charity shop. They were listed simply as “old copper coins” from an estate clearance, and at barely over £2 each, I hit buy before you could say “numismatics.” The photos showed what looked like a Spanish cob piece from around 1600, but the rest were complete enigmas. That uncertainty? That’s what gets my collector’s heart racing!

Unraveling the Identifications

When the package arrived, I spread them out under my lamp like pirate’s booty. That Spanish piece with the castle and “8” was first – confirmed 1500s-1600s. The others? Time for some coin detective work with my reference books and collector pals. Here’s what emerged from that fascinating jumble:

• A Kushan AE tetradrachm from India, circa 80-90 AD – you can just make out the horseman raising his hand
• A Judean prutah of Agrippa I (37-44 AD) with that distinctive umbrella design
• A Kashmiri AE coin from the 11th century whispering tales of the Silk Road
• A Hellenistic coin featuring Isis, dating back to the 3rd or 2nd century BC
• A Roman quadrans from the Republican era showing Hercules and a ship’s prow
• One little mystery still stumping me – three wheat stalks but no portrait

Honestly, holding history like this never gets old. I’m already prepping my display trays!

Practical Tips and Insights

This haul taught me some valuable lessons I’ll pass along. First: always check charity shops and estate sales. Sellers often undervalue coins when they’re clearing estates. Second: with mystery lots, look for clues like metal type, design elements, and any visible lettering – even worn coins talk if you listen closely. Third: condition matters less with ancients than you’d think – focus on readable details rather than perfection. Fourth: bargains like this prove patience pays in our hobby. And finally: document everything! Snap photos, research, and ask fellow collectors. That’s how £20 turns into priceless excitement.

Final Thoughts

This wasn’t just a good deal – it reignited why I love this hobby. For less than a pub lunch, I’ve added pieces connecting me to Roman sailors, Indian horsemen, and Judean rulers. That’s the magic of coin collecting: holding history in your palm. These are going front-and-center in my cabinet, and I’m already planning my next hunt. Keep looking, friends – treasures hide in the plainest wrappings!