I don't know anything about ancient coins

Thanks for everyone's help and advice. I decided to go with Sayles Volume I (and, if I like it, will pick up the rest), and Whitmans Handbook of Greek and Roman coins.

I noticed that the first 3 volumes of Sayles have a second edition, but I couldn't find a second edition for the last 3. Is there a second edition that I just can't find, or did he not finish updating them all?

 

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Hey @physics-fan3.14 I just got "The Handbook of Roman Imperial Coins" and I'm only a few pages in and this book is exactly what I need. While it's a catalog it has so much more information. My "review" here is a bit lacking but from only reading the first chapter, I think this is a book collectors just starting with Roman Imperial coins should have. Probably the closest thing to a Red Book for these types of coins.

 

Cool, thanks.

My problem is, I don't know *anything* about ancient coins. That's why I want something even more general than that - something that talks about Greek, Roman, Egyptian, older, newer, and everything else in between. I want a good high level picture of what is going on. After that, I'll drill down into what I like and buy more specialized books. I have very little idea what Roman Imperial means in coin terms (and thus, don't know if I am interested in it, yet), except that its in contrast to Provincial and Republic (obviously, I know the basic history we learned in high school, but that's it).

 

Honestly, ERIC II is the only book that I regularly pull off of my coin-book shelf ... the rest of my books (including my extensive collection of my hero's books => David Sear) merely get looked at randomly for more specific research reasons ...

Oh, and although I absolutely love "real books" I must admit that I am actually becoming an internet fella ... I collected a whole lotta coin-books when I first started collecting (they were as cool as collecting the coins themselves), but honestly, for up-to-date info it is far more efficient to either ask the CT-members for answers, or type-in your question on your computer and *poof* .......... man, my wife would kill me for admitting that fact (she is an antique book collector and "not" a fan of e-book anything!!)



Oh, but I agree that "Collecting Greek Coins" by John Anthony (not our CT guy) is a very cool read (and I think I scored a used copy for under $20) ... regardless, it is a fun and easy read that gives you an idea about Greek coins (money well spent)

... man, just talking about my old coin-books is making me want to go open a few of 'em ...

I guess you can't really go wrong => although coin-books can be expensive, they really are pretty fricken cool (good luck) ... oh, but try to save a bit o' cash to buy your first Attic Owl

 

I was in your exact same place a few months ago. Like summer. I might still be there!

I don't know enough about Sayle's books except the reviews I've read. You really can answer a lot of these questions online for free. Have you considered buying some coins? I don't mean this in a condescending way...and I hope it doesn't come off that way. You should start shopping or "window-shopping" at maybe vcoins or other reputable dealers (ask the board and they'll tell you...also check out @John Anthony and @seth77 's sales here). Start looking. Consider buying a few that look nice that are inexpensive so you can get a feel for them.

I'm still new to ancients and I'm learning a lot. I've had so much fun with them so far. So much more than my U.S. coins, but that's a different topic. I know the advice with U.S. is to buy the book first but with ancients there's so much good info available it makes it easier. I just don't want to see you getting bogged down in trying to find books instead of getting a coin. They're also very pleasing in hand!

Finally, I would love to hear your opinions of the books you bought, once you get a chance to read them.

 

I have the Sayles books and think they are wonderful-- perfect for an overview, chock full of handy lists and anecdotes.

 

Thanks TIF!

 

I do not have any books on ancient coins. However, I have greatly enjoyed my time with the excellent resources available on Forvm.

 

Thank you so much for the advertising @Jwt708

As usual in situations like this I think the best thing to do is as much research as possible and trying your hand at inexpensive but identifiable coins. Buy them, get them, see how they feel in your hand and then, after exhaustively researching on them, decide which focus would fit you best.
Keep also in mind that the better the coins you buy, the higher the chances are for you to resell once your focus shifts.
Hope I've been helpful

 

FORVM is great for resources

 

Hi again ...

Ummm, Side-note => coins always looks so amazingly cool on your computer screen, but make sure you realize that many of the amazingly cool animal coins that I show-off are 10mm in size (that's tiny!!) ..... on the other side of the coin (eh-heh-heh) there are some amazingly huge examples as well (some of the Ptolemy coins are 50-100 grams!! => massive!!)

I highly recommend buying one at each end of the spectrum (it'll give you a good feel of just how many fricken options are out there!!)

Good luck (there are no losers in the ancient world => they're all amazingly cool)

 

Of course the company here is "amazingly cool" (in a nerdy way) as well.

 

COOL CROP-CIRCLE Dude! And, love your pup avatar,,,

LOL, I was at Avebury in the UK ( Really great Stone Circle - HUGE)... They had a Crop Circle there too! Mercedes did their Logo in the field next to it! LOL, hilarious!

 

If you like Sayles Volume I, great. I consider it untypical of the set simply because it has to be so basic covering so much. Volumes 2 and 3 were Greek and Roman and sold well. 4, 5, 6 and the unnumbered one on fakes were less popular since they cover coins relatively fewer people collect. The demand probably did not require updates. I knew less about the contents of the last volumes so I learned more from them. Your mileage may differ.

If you plan on buying ERIC II, my review is still up:
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=eric ii
Some people considered me overly hard. Unlike Steve, I rarely touch ERIC II but mine is harder to use since it has no binding. I reviewed it from galley proofs and never bought a bound one.