Will I find a gold coin?
No. Gold coins are rarely found by the people who dig the ancient coins from the ground. When they are recovered they are immediately set aside. This happens with silver coins as well. However, because gold does not tarnish in soil they are always spotted right away. Some silver coins are covered with thick dirt and are thus found occasionally. No reputable ancient coin dealer will advertise the possibility of finding gold coins in their uncleaned lots.

What is the best way of cleaning my coin?
That depends on how fast and thorough of a job you're aiming for. We have included a special section on various methods used and this can be accessed from the main page.

Which is better for cleaning, olive oil or water?
In our experience oil works better the longer you are willing to leave your coins soaked in it. Water works best for faster results but you will need to do much more scrubbing than with oil treatments. We also advise against use of olive oil as it contains acids which turn coins dark over time. We do recommend the use of mineral oil (baby oil) or synthetic car engine oil.

Are these coins really genuine? Absolutely! Although rare ancient coins are sometimes counterfeited you need not worry about your uncleaned coins being a modern fake because thousands can be found throughout the meditarranean countries relatively easily and inexpensively. It would simply cost far more to manufacture a convincing ancient "uncleaned" bronze coin than a genuine is worth. We offer an unconditional lifetime warranty on any coins we sell if any were ever to be found to be a modern fake.

Can you identify my coin for me?
Yes - provided you can email us an image of your coin. In most cases our numismatist is able to generally identify coins found if they're in good condition and the image provides enough detail. In many cases a full attribution is possible.

How much is my coin worth?
Most of the common coins you are likely to find in a batch of uncleaned coins sell anywhere from a dollar to several hundred. Your chances of finding a coin similar to yours on an online auction are good. The typical coin will probably be worth between $1 and $10 but many have been found that sell for much more. Also bear in mind that for common coins the likelihood of a successful sale is based primarily on how much detail your coin has left and whether you can capture this detail effectively with your scanner or digital camera. Only relatively rare coins will sell if their condition is poor.

How can I identify my coin? It isn't listed on your database.
The image database on this site deals only with Roman imperial issues. You may have likely found a Byzantine or Roman provincial coin. Your best bet is to try another database web site such as Wildwinds. There are also several Yahoo groups which you may want to consider joining. Two particularly useful ones are Uncleaned and Moneta

I can't seem to make out any of the lettering on my coin although I see "bumps" where the letters are. How can I make out what is written?
Try putting the coin under very bright light then turning it nearly on its side so as to cast shadows. Sometimes faint lettering becomes more readable this way. Failing this try smearing a small amount of Elmer's glue on. As the glue settles into the fields the lettering is isolated and you should be able to see it more clearly. Coins with no lettering readable are often still attributable based on other details of the coin such as the portrait or uniqueness of the design on the reverse.

I have a coin that is not listed on your database. Can it be included? We would love to add it! In fact, a significant part of the database is made up of coins that were submitted by users. Ideally, you should verify that the coin is correctly attributed. If you have an image of the coin you can send it as an email attachment, if not you can contact us to arrange for a loan so we may photograph it ourselves. Either way, you should email us using the contact form on the main page.

Can the database be downloaded to my personal computer? Yes, it is posted as one big file on download.com. Use "Dirty Old Coins" as your keyword search to find it.

I would like to use one of the images on your database for one of my projects. Is this ok? Most of the images on the database are not the property of Dirty Old Coins. Therefore, we cannot give or deny permission for their use whether commercial or otherwise. Each image, however, should have the name of the copyright holder and they may be contacted directly. Dirty Old Coins is pleased to allow non-commercial use of any coin images that are labeled Dirty Old Coins, LLC so long as the images are not digitally altered.

Can I pay with PayPal?
Yes. Our PayPal ID is . Be sure to include in the message field what items you are ordering, the quantity of each item and the appropriate shipping. If not sure of the total or need any other assistance send email or call us first at 1-800-613-8136. You may also send a personal check or Money Order to:

Dirty Old Coins
PO Box 14803
Tumwater, WA 98511-4803 USA

Who is Dirty Old Coins?
Dirty Old Coins, LLC is a Minnesota registered business operating in Olympia, Washington. Our shipping and assembly facilities are located in Asheville, NC. Our goal is to focus exclusively on the needs of the uncleaned coin collector with a special emphasis on Roman Imperial coins. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email us using the contact form on the main page. Dirty Old Coins enthusiastically supports the Ancient Coins for Education school program.