While buying cleaned detailed coins is one way of building a collection many ancient coin collectors love to get their hands dirty. Whether it is a single coin or a 100 count hunk of a found hoard it all comes down to discovering your own buried treasure. Many dealers and on line auctions sell bulk uncleaned coins. Quality and size vary with each hoard or lot. This method of acquiring coins is my favorite. I have purchased lots that have been unbelievable and received a few lots that were obviously some one's culls and slugs.  I suggest buying lots no smaller than 10 coins so your chances of finding good to very good coins increases. This is a good test lot size to see the quality of a vendor. Two or three small lots will make you feel better about purchasing a lot of 100 or even a thousand. I clean 200 to 300 coins a week and never tire of the rush you get when a beautiful Vespasian or M Follis shows it self. Buy from reputable coin and antique dealers and use caution when you buy on line. I have located several trusted sources for all levels of quality and quantity. You will develop your sources over time and yes you will probably find a lemon or two. But that is part of the hobby.

Will I find GOLD?

NO! When these coins are dug up bear in mind that gold does not tarnish or allow dirt to encrust it. It is like a little neon sign in the dirt that says pick me up! Ad the diggers do! I have been buying hoards and lots or a while and the only gold I have found was an Indian gold coin in with 999 Greek and Roman coins. I suspect that it was a plant only because it was not from the same era. Yes it is sneaky but it is done in the hopes that the buyer will report his gold find in the feedback section of on line auctions. That one $10 hunk of non roman gold will make novice buyers grab all the sellers remaining coins so they can get some gold. Silly but it works.
 

Will I find Silver?

That is a possibility! While some silver coins fall into the pockets of the diggers and sorters a good quantity goes undiscovered in hoards. They turn black and get encrusted a bit and they turn up in your hand. I have had some lots that were purchased as silver hoards with 80% silver coins but naturally they were more expensive than $5 or $10 a coin. When buying a lot of 100 coins you stand a good chance of finding a silver coin.

Will I find artifacts like rings, fibula, and keys?

Possibly but not likely! These little treasures along with arrow and spear heads get picked out and sold separately. If you enjoy these items as a collectable they can be found along with ancient coins from most coin dealers.