New member of the ancient coins club introducing himself

I'd try to pay about $70 because it is a fairly common issue with a "standard" Roma/quadriga design. Except in cases of particularly rare variants, coins with these designs tend to be in lower demand because of the sheer number with this design and the fact that few collectors care about collecting each and every one. I would expect to see a retail dealer price it in the $70-$120 USD range.

 

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I already signed up a few minutes ago and searched. Should have done that instead of asking in the first place. I found out that I hit the price range dead on. Good thing I haggled on Ebay instead of hitting the "Buy Now" button. Looks like my counteroffer after counteroffer worked to my advantage. I saw a similar looking coin on the site with the charioteer's head on the edge and about the same wear as mine for just about the price I paid for mine.

 

My last post on this thread. I have re-read all the advise I have received here. First, I will take the next month or two to heavily study ancient Roman coins (Republic and Imperial) before making any more purchases. Second, I think I have decided to purchase raw coins from now on, which is why I really have a lot of studying to do. You guys are right, seems a real shame to entomb those nice ancient beauties. They are not fragile things having survived 2000+ years. I need to break out of the US coins numismatist mindset.

 

Why last? Whether you post coins or questions and observation is fine here. I believe just by being involved in the discussions is a learning experience.

 

If we all would study before making purchases we might be better off. I hope you enjoy the journey.

 

Glad you took the plunge @Sallent !

 

'Salient', I love your first choice of an ancient coin.....

And WELCOME to our small but growing group of coin addicts.

 

You know, if you hook up with the right dealer, they'll make you that much more confident in your purchases and they'll stand behind what they sold. I can't recommend a Republican specialist...because I'm not one. And if you're nervous but still want to get a taste of things, many very nice coins can be had for very modest prices.

 

To be honest, I do want to build a decent Republican collection, but I would also like to collect some Emperors. I need to find a focus there, as Emperors in ancient Rome were a dime a dozen. Maybe I could do a dynasty, or Emperors of a particular century, or something like that.

One day I'd like to get a few Greeks too, but that is at the bottom of my list for now (sorry to the Grecophiles)

 

Welcome!

 

There is a book I like Collecting Greek Coins by John Anthony (not our John Anthony). What I liked about it was it was not a catalog with numbers and prices but a survey of what the author found to be neat about Greek Coins.
http://www.amazon.com/Collecting-Gr...102744&sr=8-1&keywords=collecting+greek+coins
Amazon has two reviews from customers. You should recognize both names from this list.
I wish someone would write a book like that about Romans. Anthony realized that Greek coins do not lend themselves well to set collecting and showed other ways. One chapter, for example, showed coins that related in some way to Homer's Odyssey (places, boats, monsters etc.). A Roman version might have chapters on crazy men, kid rulers or wars. I once knew a retired collector of means who went for sports on coins. His best coin was an aureus with the Circus Maximus but he had a complete set of the Roman coins showing gladiators. I'll never abandon my specialty in 'coins I like' but I will also continue to expand on my coins of Septimius Severus from Eastern mints of which my several hundred denarii qualify only as this list's second best gathering of the type.

There are thousands of ways to do this hobby. Some of us have over ten specialties already and may add another any time now. Enjoy the way you choose.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Life-Republic...8&qid=1447103976&sr=8-4&keywords=elvira+clain

The above link is a non catalog book on Republican coins that separates into chapters examples of different subjects (gods, wars, buildings etc.) The book has many faults but is worth the $5 price. The author was a great lady of numismatics whom I was privileged to meet on more than one occasion. Her departure marked the end of the period when the Smithsonian museum was a good place to go to learn about coins.

 

Nice looking first ancient, Sallent ... thanks for posting your new sweetie

 

I said it on your other thread but somehow missed this one so I just want to say welcome!

BTW has anyone else noticed that we have gotten a decent amount of new members here in the ancients forum lately (like around the last month or so)? Not saying this is a bad thing but just something I've noticed.

 

Yes, there has been quite an influx of new members, yay! In addition to the relaxed atmosphere here on CoinTalk, the platform is fantastic. It's so easy to upload pictures, insert links, format text, tag other members, etc. Plus, it just looks good . Best of all though, the people are fun, interesting, and polite.

 

Nice try, paid CT spokesperson

Just kidding But yeah glad I'm not the only one to notice.

 

This Electronic Public Forum (and I have been on a few) seems to be what it is intended to be and akin to this one in Ephesus. circa 1998
However, this e-Forum trumps that of old, since our speakers can broadcast to a global audience.

BTW I have been on other boards where the atmosphere was more like this


I went over the fence one day.



But I fared better than Steve...................Google got me here safely.

 

Seems like a broken record by us members of CT. Personally I'm more than glad we are all meeting up here in a pleasant place where the mods merely moderate.