Would you recommend Vagi's Coinage and History of the Roman Empire?

As per the title, I am thinking about purchasing these two books. Looking to finally purchase more books to help better inform me about ancient Roman coinage and I have seen this one pop up occasionally. Just wondering what peoples' thoughts regarding it are. What are it's main benefits, what are its drawbacks etc.

Thanks everyone.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

David Vagi's book made an impact at the time it was published (1999) but I think that its time has largely come and gone. One volume is a series of short historical sketches of each of the personalities appearing on Roman Imperial coins, similar to what one might find on Wikipedia today. The other volume is essentially a price guide (now outdated) without as much detail on the coins themselves as one might hope for. Instead, I would recommend assembling a set of David Sear's 'Roman Coins and Their Values'. It will cost a bit more but will serve you better in the long run.

 

Luke B, I think acquiring David Vagi's books would be a wise investment for you . I bought both of his books when they first became available & found them very helpful, especially volume one: HISTORY. The books have dropped in price after they were first offered for sale & used copies are available at bargain prices . If you're new to collecting Roman coins buy the two volumes, you won't regret it . I was lucky to discover a Roman provincial coin in my collection that was pictured in volume two of his book , pictured below.

 

This is a book I reviewed back when it came out. I do not know what they are selling for now but my opinion has not changed. The only thing that kept the book from being widely accepted was the decision to lump all common reverses into one catalog number and separate out only a few special types that sell higher than the ordinary reverses for that same ruler. People want catalog numbers (like Sear) they can write on tickets but expect miracles like listing every minor variety in one volume.

IMHO this set of books (be sure to get BOTH volumes - many sets were split up when original owners only liked one or the other) is a fine compliment to the online coin listings posted by CNG and other sellers. The books and my review were written before these online resources were started. Near the end of my review I fantasized about a third volume consisting of the photo files from past CNG catalogs. I got more that I expected when CNG started posting each of their sales online. We now have what I wanted in the third volume and so much more.

Value? $80, yes; $292, no.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1579583164/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

My review from the olden days:
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/book.html#vagi
Vagi, David L., Coinage and History of the Roman Empire, Coin World, 1999

​

The most awaited event of 1999 was the publication of David Vagi's two volume work on Roman Imperial coins. In most respects, we were not disappointed. These two volumes belong in EVERY numismatic library. The books contain a wealth of information presented in a manner that makes it easy to read the part necessary to understand a newly acquired coin or to answer a newly arisen question. Some may criticize the amount of repetition (the story of the death of Geta is retold for each of the family members) but this same repetition insures that the important points are not lost on the casual reader. Volume One is a serialized history of Rome told with a chapter for each of 250+ rulers and family members who appear on coins. The content and presentation are excellent with short introductions to various periods added to help the reader understand the links between the individual biographies. Where history has left the facts less than clear, the author explains the theories and is quite open about the fact that not everything in Roman history is fully understood (by him or anyone else).

Volume Two begins with a truly great 180 page introduction to collecting Roman Imperial coins. Chapters cover types, denominations, mints, dating, grading and other subjects that must be understood by someone at all interested in collecting these coins. This section alone, if published separately, would be a great service to hobby and to the education of beginning collectors. The catalog that occupies the following nearly 450 pages is, in my opinion, the least valuable part of the books. Again listed personality by personality, tables list a few representative 'special' coins and price them in three different grades. Common or 'not special' coins are lumped together by denomination with a general price for all similar coins of that ruler. Therefore, for example, we see a listing (Vagi 1746) for denarii of Septimius Severus priced from $15 to $100 and eleven more listings for 'special' types (it will be easy to ask why some were included and others omitted!) ranging from $20 to $3000. Most collectors (and nearly all dealers) will consider his prices low but I see them as representative of average auction results and coin show sales where the dealer provides little in the way of services other than making the coins available. Coins trading by private treaty with full dealer advice and services will certainly sell for more. While the entries are numbered, the plain fact that 95% of coins seen in the marketplace are covered only by the generic listings (like our example of Septimius Severus' Vagi 1746). The catalog will do little good for identifying specific types. Each reign listing includes a list of obverse legends that should allow identification of most coins to the ruler but persons wanting a laundry list of all the types found will still need a set of RIC (also reviewed on this page).

Prepublication hype suggested this work would replace the David Sear book (not reviewed here but due a major revision which I hope will spur me to include it). Vagi is no Sear. The intent and coverage is entirely different. Vagi is entirely on the Empire while Sear is most interested in the Republic and is seriously short on treatment of coins after the Julio-Claudians. Vagi has over 800 pages on history and collecting information before getting to the catalog section; Introductory sections of Sear are minimal. Most serious collectors will own both.

The two Vagi volumes are well bound and well produced (although I find the font used hard on the eyes due to the thin lines and small size). Photos are not overly numerous but what were provided are really excellent selections from my favorite resource (did you read my review of old auction catalogs?). The book was dressed up with old line drawings from public domain sources that have nothing to do with coins and waste (my opinion!) space better used with more of the excellent CNG photos of coins. A third volume reproducing all the types available from their files and indexed to Vagi pages would make really great resource. As it is, the books are a great value at the full list price and will become a standard of the numismatic library.

 

I can't comment on the usefulness or interest of the "history" volume, but I'm pretty sure that if you have any intention of using it as a catalog, you'll be disappointed. I've never seen any listing of any coin that mentions its "Vagi number."

 

You will typically only see it for a few issues that were not included in RIC, like some Festival of Isis issues and early 4th century anonymous civic coinage from Antioch.

 

I don't use the catalog mainly because online sources are more up to date which will be true of any print. He does show some very rare coins which you might not know otherwise exist. His was the first book I purchased about ancients straight from the A.N.A book store. It's a great book for beginners and part 1 is an excellent source of information on all aspects of ancients. A good value compared to other books in my opinion.

 

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful responses, especially to Doug for that great review. I had heard that the catalogue part is rather useless when compared to other resources available. I am glad to hear that the first 180 pages of part two provides some great information for collecting Roman coins. Managed to find both volumes for a really good price so I made the purchase - $95 AUD!

 

I agree but, since I have no use for the subset of collectors who worship catalog numbers, this does not bother me. We need to understand coins, not organize them or make checklists that can never be completed.

I do wish that the first 180 pages of the Coinage volume had been included in the first volume or issued separately with a few more photos to make what I would consider a must have book for beginners who want to know about the hobby. I am not suggesting you cut up your copy to make the book I suggest but I do suggest you study those 180 pages if what is in them is new to you. $95AUD is a good deal, IMO.

 

@Luke B, if you're more interested in attribution than current prices (which are structurally impossible for the print medium to keep up with), I would second @dltsrq's recommendation of Sear, the latest edition you can find. (Mine is the 2nd, 1974. --Do Better than me!!! ...Along the lines of drunk old men who say, 'Boy, Go Back to School!' --That was James McBride, paraphrased.) And, for historical background, something solid, in the way of secondary sources in print. Regarding which, lots of people could give you better advice than I can, at this point.
...Well, okay, fine, here's nothing. When I was a kid, starting out in later Roman coins (as locally available, c. early -mid '70s; always attributed, often very responsibly ...but that was frequently most of what kept them from being bottom-shelf), the histories of Rome, in two volumes (Republic and Empire) by the late, lamented polymath Isaac Asimov were indispensible.
...And, Oh, Dang, after one look at what's on Amazon, I'm guessing that's not likely to be a serious option. https://www.amazon.com/Roman-Empire-Isaac-Asimov/dp/0395065771/ref=sr_1_1?crid=EO2FXUXYWL2F&dchild=1&keywords=isaac+asimov+the+roman+empire&qid=1602132349&sprefix=isaac+asimov+the+roman+,stripbooks,230&sr=8-1
Nope, listen to people who have better advice than me.

 

I remember seeing this book a few years ago and being impressed by how each imperial authority was related to the others in the dynastic line.... a minor point but for whatever reason I find it very hard to make sense in my head of stuff like "cousins once removed" lol

Rasiel

 

You have never done family history then. Both my parents were absolutely horrified when I discovered my father was cousin 5 times removed from Kim Philby.

 

Now there is a name I haven't seen in a while.

 

And best lost to history.

 

Unless you want to read this great book..... I read it back in the '80s when it came out - big story at the time, government lawsuits, etc.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/971569.Spy_Catcher

 

Yeah, but you don't want to be related to him!

 

No.. no you don't

 

Especially when both parents are ex-army.