My Unexpected Coin Haul: Coins I Purchased Today

I’ve been collecting coins for years, and let me tell you, nothing compares to that jolt of excitement when you stumble upon hidden treasure where you least expect it. Just last week, I grabbed a lot of eight coins for only 20 quid (about 27 bucks) from an online charity shop. They were listed as “old copper coins” from an estate donation. At a little over £2 each, I figured it was worth a shot, even though the photos were pretty fuzzy. Little did I know I’d hit the jackpot!

The Purchase and Initial Impressions

Buying coins blind is always a gamble, but charity shops often hold undervalued gems from estates. These came from a gentleman’s collection after he passed away – that personal history makes them even more special to me. In those blurry photos, I thought I spotted a 1600s Spanish cob with that wonderful rough, hand-struck character. The others seemed ancient and all over the map: maybe Spanish, Greek, or even Indian? I couldn’t be sure until they arrived. Here’s a tip from my experience: always study online photos for any little details like lettering or symbols. Sometimes taking a chance really pays off!

Identifying the Coins: A Numismatic Adventure

When the package arrived, I spread them out on my desk and just grinned. What a mix! After some quality time with my reference books and a few collector friends, here’s what turned up:

• A Spanish cob coin from the 1500s-1600s with its castle and “8” mark – classic pieces from Spain’s colonial days that often fly under the radar
• A Kushan Empire tetradrachm (around 80-90 AD), likely Indian, featuring a horseman – love how these show Greek and Eastern styles blending
• A tiny but mighty Judean prutah of Agrippa I (37-44 AD) with that umbrella symbol – straight from Roman Judean times
• An 11th-century Kashmiri coin showing a standing figure – a great addition for anyone into medieval Asian coins
• A Hellenistic piece from 3rd-2nd century BC with Isis on one side – beautiful early artistry
• A humble Roman quadrans from the Republican era (1st century BC) featuring Hercules and a ship prow – practically whispers Roman history
• Another Judean prutah with three barley ears
• One mystery coin with wheat stems but no portrait – still working on that one!

Sorting through these taught me so much about ancient coins. You can often pin down age and origin by focusing on readable text and clear designs. Most showed honest wear from centuries of use, so I carefully handled them with gloves and slipped them into acid-free flips to keep them safe.

Practical Advice for Fellow Collectors

This little adventure reminded me why I love this hobby. Charity shops and estate sales are fantastic spots for affordable finds – always ask about the story behind items if you can. When buying online, really eyeball those photos for metal type and any visible marks. That extra attention saved me from passing on this lot.

Ancient coins like these often get overlooked in bulk sales. I’ve found picking up mixed lots builds a diverse collection without costing a fortune. For tricky IDs, I lean on reference books and apps, but chatting with experienced collectors makes all the difference – they helped turn my unknowns into display stars.

Right now, I’m writing up labels for my cabinet so each coin has its story card. That way when fellow collectors visit, I can share the journey behind each piece. All told, this £20 gamble became one of my favorite collecting moments. Funny how the most ordinary listings can hold extraordinary history!