I already have a large library of books on ancient coins, so I wasn't expecting much when I got Rynearson's book Collecting Ancient Greek Coins in a large batch of books. But I was pleasantly surprised at how well-done it was and how interesting it was, even though I am not a beginner. It is hardcover, 6 1/4" by 9 1/4", 256 pages. The first 112 pages discuss "getting Started" with sections on "historical background," "Artistic Background," "Numismatic Principles and Caveats" (with grading, cleaning, surfaces, forgeries, etc. discussed), and "Approaches to Collecting Ancient Greek Coins" (including collecting themes and some book reviews). The rest of the book is a discussion of 131 coins arranged regionally as is usual. Unlike many books written by scholars, this book not only tells you about the type, but also about the particular coin and its grade and value and what factors contribute to the value of that particular coin. The cover and hype misdescribe it as "A guided tour featuring 25 significant types." It really discusses 181 types and illustrates them enlarged in color with excellent photos. The "25" really refers to broad categories of types such as "Greek issues minted in Italy" as if it were one "type" (but, for example, this section has two coins from each of Metapontion, Thourioi, and Kroton for six types in the normal use of the term "type"). Each photo gives the weight and diameter of the coin and a short discussion of the grade and defects. Giving the diameter is important because the photos are enlarged. At the end in Appendix A it repeats all the coins with the obverse photo natural-sized so you can get a feeling for how big it is. That is really helpful for beginner who might not realize that the fine artistry on an obol really is on a tiny coin! At the end there is a glossary of terms used to describe ancient Greek coins (Do you know what an aphlaston is?) Appendix B is a list of suggested retail price for those exact coins. Rynearson was (he died in 2012) a dealer and I think the coins in the book were coins he actually handled. Most are high-quality and the prices are typically $400 to $10,000, with some higher and some lower. (I thought the quoted dollars values are high, but high-quality coins bring high prices.) The book has lots of casual advice for potential buyers about quality (style, strike, patina, etc.) and problems (such as porosity and corrosion, centering, etc.) But, it is not preachy, just factual when it comes up with one of the coins he is discussing. The coins are great. The photos are great. The text is like a friendly high-end dealer seated next to you and talking about the coin while you handle it. I recommend the book. I see it is avaiable on Amazon for about $18 including shipping.
Coincidentally ordered that and "Overstruck Greek Coins: Studies in Greek Chronology and Monetary Theory" this morning. This bolsters my decision. Thank you.
Long ago I respected Paul Rynearson greatly but lost touch when he advanced to the $400 to $10,000 bracket and I stayed in the $4 to $1000 bracket. This cost me several dealer sources. I am sorry to hear of his passing for all the usual reasons plus I had a question for him on a subject from long ago that will never be answered unless someone out there remembers the details of his proposed grading system for ancients (before NGC did ancients). I have had mixed results buying books from reviews but this sounds like one that I would enjoy even if it is a bit beginner oriented. I almost bought it several times but was scared off by the '25 significant types' ad that Valentinian explained. I admit that I would like to write a parallel book on coins too insignificant to be sold by a $400 to $10k dealer but publishers make money selling $20 books to people who don't have $400 to spend on a coin. I still maintain you can enjoy collecting $399 and under coins but I do understand why dealers all want Clio as a customer and not people like me. I ordered the book and a hundred dollars worth of other Amazon toys. You know how it is when you try to eat just one chip.... I expect each person who orders this book based on this review to add a comment below but ONLY after they have read the book. If you don't intend on reading it, you should just send me the money and ask me to send you books of my choice from my library. Yes, and if I started reading them again now, I would be over a hundred when I finished. I have enough that put me to sleep the first time that I know it will take years and years. Selecting coin books is a lot like selecting coins but we have yet to see the best books inserted in folio slabs.
Picked this book up a few months ago. The layout and overall style are really nice. Interesting info and great photos. I wish I had the budget to collect a lot of what was described.
This is a nice book. Unfortunately there is no provenance given for any of the coins illustrated and I happen to possess one of them but it seems I will never know where it came from...
If I didn't already have the Rynearson book, I would order it. There is an eBay seller with it at $8 plus $3.27 shipping in the US, and he has the first edition of Berk's "100 Greatest Ancient Coins" at only $10 too. Buy them both! http://ebayitem.com/202638113540
