As a beginner to coin collecting I would like some advice. I want to start collecting Roman coins for their social history and not monetary value. I see on eBay UK that there are bulk load of up to 30 unidentified coins being offered for sale which I understand to have been found in Easter Europe. Would these be worth purchasing as a place to start a collection?
If you're building a collection as a hobby rather than an investment, you should look to acquire whatever you most want to own. The best judge of what belongs in your collection is you.
eBay is one of the easiest places to acquire coins, but it also tends to be on the pricier side of things. Sellers have to make up for the big cut that the website takes from each transaction. You also do run the risk of counterfeits (though I wouldn't worry about this too much for ancients in a bulk lot; most of those aren't really worth faking (but always be careful!)). That being said, if there's a lot you like and a price that you can live with, I don't see why you wouldn't go for it.
You might also look into local coin shops/dealers. Many of these sellers are willing work out a decent deal if it lets them sell directly, especially for lower-value items.
