Getting into ancients - how did I do?

As I was looking to describe the strikes, I thought it interesting that Constantine was a "coin" orientation (left on obv/rev) and the Constantius was a "medal" type (left on the obv/right on the rev). Hadn't looked at ancients as such -- assumed they'd be generally the same orientation.

 

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I read (a number of) Doug's pages discussing how each mint had their own engravers and also find it interesting how the altars all have different perspectives, the horsemen can be extremely crude to developed, etc... I'm afraid I'm sort of hooked (as Eng mentioned).

 

Die axes don't mean much among Romans, especially when it comes to LRB's. Sometimes they are consistently one way or another, sometimes they are all over the map. I don't think the Romans preferred a 12h or 6h orientation, but I don't know enough about the matter to say for certain. It seems as if the choice was left to the minters.

 

The new photos make me believe that the softness is photographic rather than on the coin. I might try manual focus to see if I could get a sharper image. I like the new lighting better. They could be darkened or have contrast added in postprocessing with very little trouble.

We are glad to see a new 'hooked' member and will be anxious to see where your addiction takes you in 2015. Certain of our number use the phrase 'Welcome to the dark side.' When they say this, they are not kidding. Your grandchildren will not pay off the family business with the profits of your hobby and may try to have you committed based on your coins. I once figured (a few years ago) that my hobby was costing me about $10 a day over the time I have been active. The last few years, that number has increased but I am afraid to do the math. $30 a day would be a bit over $10000 a year. It sounds worse that way but 2 cents a minute sounds like cheap fun. The dark side of this come if you decide to sign up for more than one of those 2 cent doses each and every minute.

 

This is all true, but what makes it funny is Doug Smith talking about the "Dark Side". I almost fell out of my chair. Thanks Doug. I needed that.

 

I still stick to the fact that my friends all have hobbies that I 'know" will eventually amount to nuthin'!! ... yah, snow-mobiling, fishing, golfing (I love golf too), etc, etc ... although these are fantastic activities, but they're all money-pits with little-to-zero return on capital investment (old snow mobiles and old boats and old golf clubs are definitely gonna be worth less than old ancient coins!!) ...

=> so at least we have that goin' for us, my geeky coin-freinds!!

 

There is the health benefits to consider. WAIT A MINUTE. Forget what I said. Continue on. Nothing to see here.

 

This will be the last time I bore you any longer on these coins, but I did get my photo setup a little better. I love the detail on the fallen horseman, but the Constantine is my favorite of the bunch. This is as close to the real coin as I could in coloring and depth of field. Now I wish I could have had the light another 5 degrees counter-clockwise to show the cheek detail better, but then I'd lose the hair detail.

 

Super image! Now let's see the reverse.

 

Why do you think any of us are bored by pretty ancients?

 

Very nice image for sure.

 

You guys are too kind. Here's the format I think I want to put them in. Need to work out the sizing of the coin to the text to the frame to keep things proportional.

 

The setup looks nice, but personally I think the words in the middle detracts the picture. Plus when you get a long description of the coin, it just won't fit unless you make the font really small and then you can't really read it.

I would suggest if you really want the words to go along with the photos, add an extra layer at the bottom and type the words in there. Unfortunately this will make the image huge. But its really your call as its going to be in your database, play around a bit and see which setup you like more.

 

It's interesting how the coin looks in each different picture you've taken, even though they're obviously all of the same coin. This last picture is excellent, as is the coin.

I think the term Dark Side sounds a little Sithnister myself, and prefer the term Darkly Toned Side. In any case, welcome to the party, glad to have you here!

 

Give it time, you may change your mind.

I agree with ice, but it's what makes you happy.

 

These are excellent photos 1000% better than the first we saw. I always make my coin photo files in 2:3 proportions so they print at 4x6 without cropping. That leaves a bit of space which could be used for text. I don't put in details but sometimes add a name which makes it easier to find the coin I want on my Nook. I carry the Nook to shows so I can refer to all my coins in an attempt not to buy a duplicate unless it is a real upgrade. Example:

 

Good ideas, guys. I like the reasoning of the 2:3 ratio, and perhaps a banner at the bottom will work better for the text.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

This is an example of how I have it on my excel page where the info is on the sides.



Doesn't have to be the same but just throwing some ideas around.