Finding a focus

I could be completely wrong, but one advantage for the one-per-emperor/12 caesars collector, is there is a lot of demand in these categories. Which means when/if the time comes, you can sell them easily and get most of your money back.

If you buy very popular rarities at a low price, you could even sell them in the right auction for a reasonable profit. Of course, the reverse can also be true - as noted with the Clodius Macer cited in this thread.

 

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In my long-ago Celator column, I once responded to collectors unhappy with rising prices in their specialties (i.e., prices higher than they wanted to pay) by noting that my true collecting desiderata was to collect Eid Mar denarii by dies.. but we can't always get what we want.

 

=> Hey, coins are supposed to be fun .... but if we're not having any fun, then perhaps it's time to seek other outlets?

I certainly don't want to cause any turmoil in this awesome little coin-nook that we've created (I will try not to let the few wreck the whole ... I promise that I'll try to hold my tongue)



Cheers, my friends (we rock)

 

You rock Golem. I'm not sure where you when wrong tbh. But it's good to have a bit of 'life' in the room. I'd rather someone spits in my direction than ignores me completely!

 

I understand little brother. Just wish everyone did. Love ya

 

I think Steve is funny and would like him to continue being funny.

 

@Orfew : as english isn't my mother language I may be misunderstanding from time to time (misreading, miswriting, mistyping ...sometimes I feel like I "spit" english rather than speaking it ), but I really didn"t see any intended offensive comment or assertion in this thread : just people giving various opinions (some strong ones) in variably funny ways

Expressions of humour are infinite, as ways of collecting coins are, and just as some don't like others collecting fields, no one has to be fond of others puns : to each its own

I would really like you to stay here, as I appreciate your posts

and

@stevex6 yes you rock my friend

Q

 

Well said!

 

Those looking for an alternative to collecting the traditional Twelve Caesars or one-per-ruler set could consider something a little more unorthodox with the Forty-Six Caesars set. They're a list of rulers named by emperor Julian in his satirical short story, The Caesars.

Some advantages of this set:
- Julian's story is much much shorter than Suetonius's Lives of the Twelve Caesars. If anyone asks if you've actually read the book, there's really no reason for you to not have.
- Mathematically, collecting 46 coins is more fun than collecting 12 coins.
- No need to acquire pesky rare and expensive rulers such as Didius Julianus, Pescennius Niger, Gordians I and II.
- No need to collect the dull coins of a raft of mid-3rd century nobodies like Volusian (who?), Florian (double who??) or Quintillus (okay, many of you probably know this guy, but his coins are all cruddy).
- You get to caption your captured ruler with amusing quotes from the story (ie., Elagabalus is "the pretty boy from Emesa", Gallienus - "all decked with gold and dainty as a maiden", Licinius - "his misdeeds were many and monstrous", Galba, Otho and Vitellius collectively are labelled "a swarm of monarchs").

I should highlight some a few possible cons:
- You will be needing a Vindex.
- Other collectors may think you're strange.

I think this hobby really allows you to go with anything. Just have fun while you're at it .

 

Quite a leap from Severus Alexander to Valerian, no?

 

True, but perhaps that's an added point of interest... who was left out of the list. Or maybe he just didn't have anything funny to say about them.

 

@Orfew, if you enjoyed collecting the 12 Caesars, you might enjoy collecting the family members of the 12 Caesars, which is rich in history. I collect heirs who never made it to the throne such as Caius, Lucius, Drusus, Germanicus, etc., as well as wives and daughters, many of whom are surrounded by scandal (Julia, Livia, Agrippina, Druscilla, Messalina, etc.), And if you are into military, one can collect proconsuls, prefects, procurators, etc.

Collecting coins from time of the 12 Caesars is a fascinating way to delve into history of the early Roman empire. One of my favorite collections!

 

Rereading this thread and have to agree with you about the allure of completing a set when close. Even me, one of the most vociferous anti-set people around own a few ancient "sets". One off the top of my head is the anonymous bronze series. I like them, and simply wanted to own every type. Same with the 4 types of domitian rhinos. Now, once you have all but one does it give you a push to try to get the last one? Yeah, I admit it does. Must be an internal collector thing.

 

I, too, focus on women on ancient coins. When I first started collecting this area, I tried to get one of each woman, but because several are out of reach (Matidia, Manlia Scantilla, etc), I collect the various denominations and reverse types and various provincial issues, especially of the Antonine and Severan women. I particularly like coins relating to pregnancy and childbirth.

That's not to say I don't collect other things--Judean, Greek, Roman Emperors and Caesars--but I like the ladies.

 

Collection Focus.

Here is my collection, as it lies in the harsh light of day. The only focus is the cameras, as far as I can tell. It is complete for now because I filled 12 spots in a tray. I guess I am not that picky. I will probably get another 12 spot case and start another collecting focus. Namely filling 12 more spots.

Fortunately, as disheveled a collection as they may be, they look as good in the morning as they did during those late night auctions when they swept me off my feet and separated me from my money. Some of you will look down on me for being so undisciplined. Some may call me a heathen or a hedonist. But I know we all have different tastes and their is a special coin out there for everyone, so scorn me if you will but I am not ashamed. I may be a little poorer after a night in the auction houses and I may forget some of the details but I'm smiling all the same in the harsh light of day.

Shhh. I need to collect my stuff and get out of here. Looks like they are waking up. .................damn emo's again.

Remember, hate the game not the player.

 

You're collection focus is clearly just nice coins. There's no pigs in that bunch!

 

Although my collection is much larger, it does not look much different in it's varieties (you do have some very nice coins). Someone already said it, but the bottom line is collect what you like and forget everyone else's opinions on what they think you ought to collect.

 

JWT708 .... Hope all is well there with you. Are you still interested in the AAFES POGS ?? Let me know. I have a wealth of info regarding these soon to be extinct pieces. Vr,....Tracy

 

Thanks for bringing this back up armysgti. On topic, I would like my focus in the future to be Ptolemaic standard silver coinage or all things eagle related (on ancients).