I have a few ancient coins but I feel like I'm the only one who knows nothing about them... Am I alone? I always see people posting about their ancient coins and I feel as if I'm the only one that doesn't feel as if they're special enough to get excited about them... My main interests involve North American (Canadian and U.S.) coins... Namely silver and gold.
Post a few pictures of your ancient coins here.. many great people here that will help answer your questions. Just ask.
Ancients have a much higher learning curve than other series. You cannot just pick up one book and think you will find all of your answers. It can be very tough for a few years until you build up your base of knowledge. My best suggestion is to read threads here, and look at good auctions like those listed on Numisbids. Seeing and reading about thousands of ancients helps build up your knowledge.
It just takes time and patience, the people here have been very helpful when I get stuck on something. There are various sites that you can use to identify coinage and several books you can pick up that help a lot. Ive only been in the ancient portion for maybe 2 years but ive managed to pick up a few things, even though I feel like I know very little, I know for certain the me from 2 years ago knew nothing! ahahaha
I believe your first coin is this one, or something like it. The second one reminds me of tin pitis from Palembang. Here is a site about them. I think yours is a type 11. The author of that site is a forum member, if I recall correctly.
Do you know the value of the pitis? I know the first coin... it’s worth $5... from 900 A.D. I don’t remember the name of it but I have it on a piece of paper at home
Studying ancient coins is an interest of a lifetime, a long lifetime. Like you, I started collecting USA, which at the time (late 1950's) offered a lot right out of circulation. I once found a 42/41 Mercury dime out of my father's pocket change. But I was lucky enough to have an interest in Ancient History from my high school which still required taking Latin and my university encouraged studying the Classical languages and history, so, I started into ancient coins many decades ago. All my coins and currency of every period found use in my teaching later on. After all these decades, about 60 years, I still cannot consider myself an "expert" in ancient coins, just a somewhat informed, but still avid, tyro collector and student of that coinage. There is such a fascination in viewing and handling coins that may have been payed to mercenary soldiers in the service of Alexander, or a legionary of Trajan, or humble coins buying guarum or posca in a taberna and then surviving many, many centuries in an amphora or drainage ditch to reach us, courtesy of a metal detector or subway extension, that I cannot help but wonder who used these coins, for what purpose and how did they get into that amphora or drainage ditch. No, you may never become an 'expert' in ancient numismatics but you will never be bored trying.
..you have for the 1st an Indian 'Octoman' bronze..from about the 9th century as someone mentioned...if you like history on a human scale, dig in and you'll not be able to help but learn of coins and civilizations...
