How To Start In Ancient Coins?

That's an oversimplified view. It holds true for any coins with an inscription or clear type, but that is far from every coin. What would you say this is a record of? http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=175399

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

What you say is correct, but the point is still that there are no prehistoric coins. What Bill linked is the first coin in the world made in the 7th century BC, well within historical time.

What Ruben was kidding about was an archeoptrix depicting coin, making it "prehistoric" but struck in the last few years.

Just a joke.

 

I get it! Hahaha!

 

That is good dear.

 

Btw Lonegunlawyer, Ruben is from NYC. His attitude just takes some getting used to, don't get peeved off about it. You just have to "New York up" when talking to him.

 

I get it!! Ha ha

 

Hahahahahahahahaha, now I really get it. A little salt with my Ruben, please.

 

[video=youtube;kGx94VPb8V8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGx94VPb8V8[/video]

 

Niiiiice, now when I read Ruben's posts I will picture Mr. Andy Kaufman.

 

Doi. I didn't illustrate my point very well. Let me try again. Coins are a "record" only when they bear a legend or distinct type, or are from a "historical" period. The term "pre-history" itself is highly deceptive. Literally, as the time before recorded history, it ends at different times in different regions. The Americas were, for the most part, "pre-historic" until the arrival of the Europeans. Isolated tribes still are.

Maybe this one illustrates it better: http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=217682

 

I must respectfully disagree regarding the Americas before the Europeans arrived.

 

I agree, Sayles book is a pretty good intro book.

 

You are correct. I made exceptions for quipu, but entirely forgot about the hieroglyphic systems. The point is, there are coinages that are, without careful study, entirely useless as "documents." But now we're getting into semantics and off topic.

 

Sounds great, but tangents can be intellectually stimulating so long as courtesy and civility are used (which I think has occurred).

 

One thing is certain, I love books (especially reference books), and therefore will acquire a couple of the books mentioned.

The thing that really started my interest in ancient coins to even start this thread was looking through a couple of old auction catalogs (one from 1976 featuring a couple hundred ancient coins). I found some of the designs and strikes beautiful and interesting.

Again, I really appreciate all the input and hope to see more threads re ancients. Perhaps a coin or region could be featured every couple of days?