11th July 2005, 11:42 AM
Not just the Middle East. The majority of the bulk Roman coin lots you will find at these sort of fairs are coming in from Eastern Europe. Think Bulgaria and that neck of the woods.
You may find the antiquities trade unsavory, but the 'legality' is a different issue. But people will also buy pretty much anything. A few years back, I remember some enterprising fellow selling '3 Authentic Roman Nails' mounted on a piece of mdf as a plaque. For a tenner. Now, what distinguishes a Roman nail from any other pre-modern nail? And why on earth would you want this hanging from your wall? I've also recieved 'free' Roman coins (4th century debitage) with magazine subscriptions....
ML
You may find the antiquities trade unsavory, but the 'legality' is a different issue. But people will also buy pretty much anything. A few years back, I remember some enterprising fellow selling '3 Authentic Roman Nails' mounted on a piece of mdf as a plaque. For a tenner. Now, what distinguishes a Roman nail from any other pre-modern nail? And why on earth would you want this hanging from your wall? I've also recieved 'free' Roman coins (4th century debitage) with magazine subscriptions....
ML