My collection lacks focus

Just don't get it for the Mrs. and expecting to get it back in one piece... may actually get something you don't want back at ya.

 

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No, the Ancients are mine. She does want a Vlad the Impaler coin (Dracul), but I think you have to get those struck by his grandfather...

 

Your wife wants a little memento of Vlad the Impaler? Should I ask?

 

I established my collecting focus within a couple of years of starting to collect coins, (I'm only 4 years past that point now) which was to put together a "survey" collection of ancient coins from across the world. I'm now working on shoring up some of the large holes in that survey, I'm going to spend a year focusing on different things.

This year I'm hitting Roman coins, any relatively common types or rulers I don't have. I've picked up some books on Roman coins recently to buff up the old noggin as well. I'll probably only make 10 big purchases this year, I'm predicting 9 will actually be Roma coins. I'll make several minor purchases probably, for targets of opportunity...anything goes.

Next year? Who knows.

 

Let your focus find you. Go after nice looking coins for your budget that interest you.

I have a sub collections that sort of formed organically like Caracalla provincials or Gallic Empire coins.

 

The best coins I have, I never planned on buying

 

i collect hapsburg coinage too, and was reading the history of one that was fighting the moors with ol' vlad. the boyers had reported to the hapsburg that vlad was trying to overthow him and he got put in the pokey for awhile until he was cleared of the deed. wasn't too long after that he got killed. interesting dude, he had rough row to hoe. good luck on finding a coin of him

 

lol, and any coins from them (grandfather or vlad) are stupid money.

 

I've been at it over 40 years and still enjoy collecting a little bit of everything, even though I do have specialities about which I have the major reference works and know quite a bit. Just have fun learning. Specialize only if going deeply into some area is more fun than learning broadly.

 

Not scattered—rather diverse and eclectic. There are all kinds of collections. My advice to you if you don't have a very specific interest is to purchase anything that appeals to you visually (within your budget.) You may wind up with 12 Romans, 17 Indians, 9 Parthians, etc., etc., etc. Whatever you collect it's still going to be the "alde collection."

Maybe your creating a collection for the ages—a personal legacy—the Alde Collection—a gift for future generations and rather than an owner you may consider yourself a curator of a collection of historical artifacts.

Take a look at lordmarcovan's excellent "Eclectic collection" @lordmarcovan at
My "Eclectic Box of 20" collection for inspiration.

 

I admit I am no scholar. I like history, and I read a lot. But I am no scholar. Nor do I really want to be. I know very little about many of the things other posters talk about, i.e., coin manufacture, emissions, number of workshops, metal purity, etc, etc. What I do know is I enjoy collecting these miniature ancient pieces of art. I find satisfaction in buying and then holding them in my hands. So, I guess what I am trying to say is that there doesn't have to be any rhyme or reason for the coins you collect. Just enjoy!

 

Lots of good answers here!

 

Ditto.

I never planned on doing a 12 caesars set. Just realized one day I had already 11 and thought :"well, maybe should I focus on a 12 caesars set !"

I focused on the Trajan Decius Divi series because of an opportunity of buying two of them someday, found them cool, wanted to know more, and that was it : I need two more to have a complete series

Other than that, on roman republic and empire, I'm everywhere at the same time, depending on my mood

Enjoy !

Q

Oh ! and I focus on the feudal coinage of the area where my wife and I settled thirty years ago because of her job !

 

Bing,
Your post is the most eloquently written statement about what motivates us to collect ancients that I have ever seen! It would make a great preamble for this forum.

I've copied it to a favorite quotes file that I keep on my computer. Credited to you of course—don't worry, I'll never use it without your permission. Many thanks!

 

Well, I am honored that you feel that way, but to be honest, I didn't think I was being anything but frank. Please, be my guest and use it at your convenience.

 

Here is my example of a coin with "Lovebirds & Heart" ...

Ummm, how could she not love it, right? (yah I know => she'd see right through my bull, eh?)



Oh, and it's listed as "Ivy" not a heart (but who am I to ruin the fantasy?)

 

I don't think I've seen this one before. Awesome.

 

yesterday i couldn't spell scarlar...now i are 1>< jk Bing. who loves ya

 

It's all been said at this point so I'll only add that my collection spans from Greek to Byzantine---a 'generalist' who LOVES ancients but tends to 'focus' on Greek and Roman Republic coinage....and anything else that appeals to me LOL

 

I am the opposite. I like all coins from Ancient Lydia to present day. My collection spans 26 centuries in AV coinage, I love them all! I kinda just go about it in a thrill of the moment thing....when I see a really neat coin, I go for it. I tend not to get into bidding wars though, you got to know your limit. So, I must admit my coll. is pretty diverse, coins from about every culture, time period. My most modern coins are circa 1974-79 the "Conservation Series".