I have been listening to this for the last ~month. I just made it to where Caesar Augustus (Octavian) died and Tiberius has taken over. Has anyone listened to this series? What are your thoughts? Is it pretty accurate to what you have read/studied yourself? Listening to this podcast has made me want to collect coins from the earlier Republic era up through Augustus. Are these coins affordable for a collector like me? If you don't know, I am on a rather tight budget (2 kids and another on the way). I am currently trying to look on vcoins but the search isn't working for me. Probably user error on my part. To keep it coin related, please post any of your Caesar Augustus/Tiberius/whatever tickles your fancy coins. Here is one I found for sale (out of my budget) that I like the look of:
Roman republic coins can get pricey quickly, that's why I own so few. There are many common ones that can be affordable though. But the ones featuring the more interesting reverses are the ones that pricey quick. There are also many convincing fakes out there too.
That's what I'm worried about at this point. I have just enough knowledge to get myself in trouble but not enough to confidently tell fake from real.
THoR is a great podcast! @lordmarcovan turned me on to it soon after I bought my first Ancient. I knew zilch about Roman history and I learned much through that series. It took me more than a couple months to listen to them all and I've been meaning to go back and start all over again. The series won a best educational award and Duncan was very thorough in his research and sources used. I'd recommend it for sure!!
Many of us are in the same boat as you... kids, expenses, etc. My budget is tight as is normal for someone with kids at home. Below is my opinion only - take it for what it is: advice from someone who has been collecting for about 15 months.. so not worth much. VCoins is an excellent place to buy coins - guaranteed authenticity, great dealers, great selection but you're paying retail. Which is totally acceptable.. however sometimes you can get some cheaper prices at auction - but buyer beware! eBay is the wild west unless you find really good sellers - I know a few (PM me if you want their names). Many don't like to share their sources/good sellers - which I find a real shame that hurts new collectors. Also PM @Bing as he has been running some auctions lately. If you're patient you can find some modest coins from this era from the $10 - $30 range. Here are some of mine within that price range: Anonymous SILVER DENARIUS / Issue: after 211 BC, D/ helmeted head of Roma r., X behind, R/ Dioscuri riding r., anonymous variation of the dolphin series, RRC 80/1b. For this issue, the 4+ hair locks (instead of 3 for most 53/2 varieties) and the cape style suggest this is Cr. 80 AGRIPPA. (d. 12 BC) Obverse: M AGRIPPA L F COS III Head left, wearing rostral crown. Reverse: SC Neptune standing left, holding dolphin. Mint City: Rome. Struck AD 37-41 Reference: RIC 58 (Caligula) Augustus 27 BC. - 14 AD., Philippi, Macedonia - bare head of Augustus right, AVG behind / two colonists (or priests?) ploughing right with yoke of oxen (3.12 grams, 16/15 mm) Philippi(?) mint, RPC I 1656 SNG Cop VI 282, Caligula, 37 - 41 AD. Lydia in Philadelphia. Minted of Magistrat Artemon, son of Hermogenos. AV.: Caligula. RV.: Agrippina. Ae 17, 2,87 gr.. Rare mint. --- Below is one of my first ancient coins purchases... need to take a new photo.. Augustus - Antioch - struck 5BC **I also loved the History of Rome podcast..
@Clavdivs - you have been collecting ancient's about 6 mos longer than my son and I so you have the leg up on us Thank you for sharing your 3 coins. Those are right in the price range I am looking for and are beautiful examples!
I though it was a great podcast and listened to the whole thing! Someday I'll listen all the way through again, I'm sure. Another recommendation for the late Republican period: read Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series. Just fantastic (and very well researched). As for buying coins from the period: what @Clavdivs said. You can absolutely find stuff in your price range, especially in auctions. In fact there may just be a few affordable examples coming up for auction in a couple months. Here's a Tiberius Claudius Nero, an ancestor of the more famous ones, issued in 79 BCE. I bought it for something in your price range. (Helped by the Stannard scoop, which personally I thought was a bonus!)
I enjoyed The History of Rome. I listened to it twice because it was so information dense. I haven't read the book he published afterward "The Storm Before the Storm" but probably will.
Big fan of the Roman Republic. In my view, Rome was made there... personally, the Struggle for World Power with the three Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage was pivotal in human history. Rome had some cool milestones making them Great: individual and unique treaties with their allies; an incredible road building system; inventing an effective concrete that enabled them to build easily and rapidly; of course their Legionary system; their ability to effectively assimilate and use the strengths of conquered cultures; etc etc. there are many more factors, but most of the major attributes making Rome great were forged in the fire of the Republic. I like this Sextans as it embodies a couple of imprtant symbols of Rome: the Eagle and the She-Wolf with Romulus and Remus RR Anon AE Sextans 217-215 BCE She-Wolf Twins Eagle Syd 95 Cr 39-3 S 609 Scarce On my desk...
I love the THoR podcast, along with the THoB (which is essentially a continuation of the Eastern Roman Empire). In terms of Republic coins, it is possible on a budget. This Denarius (my avatar) for example was bought for $60 USD:
His podcasts are great too. I started with his WWI series and ended up listening to everything he had out so far.
The History of Rome is my favorite podcast, I've listened from start to finish and plan to listen again soon. This podcast was largely responsible for me deciding to expand the scope of my collection beyond the Twelve Caesars several years ago.
I am listening right now. Episode 21ish, I think - things are just getting started between Rome and Carthage. I did have a question if anyone cares to answer. In one of the earlier episodes, he mentions something along the lines that the introduction of coins into the Roman market caused problems. But, I felt like he was referring to a time before what I thought was the first Roman coins (280 BC or thereabouts). Was he referring to coins from other places (similar to the very early US) or the first quasi-coinage that eventually developed into the early Roman coins?
IMHO, the above quote is not a helpful statement, and might actually dissuade potential new collectors. Notice that @furryfrog02 immediately jumped on it? Instead, you should encourage potential new collectors to buy coins from knowledgeable, ancient-coin-expert dealers. I would give similar advice to new art collectors, new antique collectors, new sports memorabilia collectors, etc. There is nothing special about Roman Republican coins versus other collectibles that requires a specific fake warning. There are fakes in all collectibles, which risk is minimized by ordinary care (buying from reputable, expert dealers).
