Filthy Lucre

For archeologically minded numismatists, now comes the "Dirty Old Coins" kit, complete with (5) genuine, hand-struck ancient coins from 1,500 to over 2,000 years old, all with their own authentic dirt and ancient schmutz still attached. All "Made in the Roman Empire. Assembled in the U.S.A." You get a 12pp instruction booklet, a PC or Mac-compatible CD-ROM coin image database for identification, a stiff brush, double-lens magnifier, and cleaning and de-corrosion fluids. Most coins will be worth a few dollars, the supplier says, but some rare finds could be worth "hundreds or even thousands." Plenty of fun either way.