I'm new to collecting ancient coins and would like to read up on how to identify the real from the fake. I would like to learn about how they were minted, their mint marks and what all the figures and symbols mean. Looking for the best books that will help me collect real ancient coins. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Welcome Cuthbert. Good Anglo-Saxon name. Your query is a common one; this thread should answer your question. Most folks suggest the Wayne Sayles books. I personally like Van Meter if you can find it. See this thread. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancient-resources.309870/#post-2975333
I think @Valentinian tried to do something like this a while back. At any rate, here is my version that is intended to help folks new to ancients. It privileges Roman coins, which is what I know. I’ll add as I remember helpful threads. GAVIN’S NEW MEMBER TOOLKIT! We get a lot of new members on the ancients board asking the same questions. Here’s a link to some helpful threads for folks new to ancient coins. WELCOME! I’M NEW TO ANCIENTS. WHERE CAN I START LEARNING? Here. http://augustuscoins.com/ed/ BEGINNER BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS? See this thread. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancient-resources.309870/#post-2975333 And this one: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/learning-about-ancient-coins.323737/#post-3192010 http://augustuscoins.com/ed/numis/intro3.html HOW DO I LEARN TO ATTRIBUTE ROMAN COINS? http://coins2.calkinsc.com/old_site/rcrc/rcrc.html http://www.romancoin.info/ http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/i.html#C WHAT SHOULD I COLLECT? https://www.cointalk.com/threads/for-beginners-who-ask-what-should-i-collect.308319/#post-2950249 WHERE CAN I BUY WITH CONFIDENCE? http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/ www.augustuscoins.com www.bargainbinancients.com www.coolcoins.com This list here: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/dealers.html THOUGHTS ON “UNCLEANED COINS”? https://www.cointalk.com/threads/uncleaned-ancient-coins.298025/page-2 OTHER RESOURCES Doug Smith’s excellent coin pages: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/
Gavin's post should be required reading by all new posters. He covers most of the first beginner questions we get every week. Good job! One point: There is no answer for any question that applies to every 'ancient' coin. Too many authorities issued too many types of coins over too many centuries to allow easy and universal answers.
Welcome @Cuthbert! I’m currently reading Bede’s Vita Sancti Cuthberti after having just gone back to Durham for a short trip (I lived there while attending uni.). Gavin’s got you covered on the place to start. What kind of coins are you interested in?
@Gavin Richardson My only complaint about your list is that you did not post it in its own thread. This should be a featured thread. Nice work!
I'm interested in bronze and silver coins from Constantine to the end of the Byzantium Empire. Assume I will concentrate on a collection of the emperors. But if they minted special coins for victories or religious feasts, etc. that would interest me.
Sayles has a dedicated volume on Byzantine coins: https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/wa...zantine_culture_paperback/912345/Default.aspx
Maybe I’ll let this thread play out and then start a beginner FAQ thread. Hasn’t Valentinian or someone done this?
The volumes of the dumbarton oaks collection is available online for free: https://www.doaks.org/@@search?Subject:list=Numismatics
Even if this was done before it is worth doing again. It is helpful to have a reference page as a jumping off point that points to other sources.
@Gavin Richardson 's post covers most bases. We have new members joint CT frequently and we get questions like the OP question frequently. A recent thread for beginners is: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/learning-about-ancient-coins.323737/#post-3192010
@FitzNigel has already pointed out the best set of books on the subject, Before last year is would cost you over $1,000.00 for the set. Anyone with interest in Byzantine coinage should download these. I remember saving up to get volume IV , it cost me about $240.00 when it first came out and to date they are the most detailed works available about the subject. The volumes of the dumbarton oaks collection is available online for free: https://www.doaks.org/@@search?Subject:list=Numismatics
I also recommend Byzantine coins, (The World of numismatics) by Philip D Whitting 1973 if you can find a used copy. It is not a catalog of types but a discussion worth reading. https://www.amazon.com/Byzantine-Coins-Numismatics-Philip-Whitting/dp/0214653455
