Following the maxim to buy the book before the coin, I've done just that. Having only one ancient, I think I want to try to expand my collection. Given my interest in the times, I bought a book titled "The Pocket Guide to St. Paul: Coins encountered by the Apostle on his travels.". So far I've just skimmed it, but I think it will be a good guide. The authors, Peter Lewis and Ron Bolden, say their purpose was to follow the journeys of Paul as recorded in the book of Acts. So chapter 10 Iconium 48 A.D. has the verse from Acts telling about him starting on his journey. There follows a brief history of the area so you get an idea of what Paul found as he entered the town. There are mentions of rulers, legends, and sometimes the significance of figures on the coinage to the area. There are images of some of the coins and details about the inscriptions and figures. The coins are referenced by their Roman Provincial Coinage number, which the authors admit is a major source for the book. In the back is a good bibliography, and good line drawings of the areas visited, that also note changes in past and current maps. I'm looking forward to studying the book and then starting my collection.
RPC Vol I can be found in ancient coin book auctions. If your interest is those times and that area of the world, it might be a good second choice. Definitely the standard for eastern Roman local coinage. RIC Vol I would be the standard for official Roman issues like "tribute pennies".
I have to admit I had not heard of this book so I looked it up on Amazon where it is unavailable but included one very interesting review (the only one posted) which I recommend to others as ignorant as I am. I suspect you are the only person here who has only one book on ancient coins and that book is this one. The question now is how well the book will serve you in selecting the next few coins you select. Do any of these appear in the book? Augustus, Amphiopolis Nero, Macedon Nero, Antioch Claudius, Alexandria Nero and Tiberius, Alexandria
I've never owned this particular book but I've long aspired to assemble a collection of coins of the cities visited by St. Paul on his missionary journeys. Nearly fifty years on it's still an aspiration, unfortunately. Good luck and keep us posted!
I did look, and I can't positively identify the coins you posted from those in the book. There are a lot of black-and-white pictures that come close to yours. And there are a lot of descriptions of coins in the text. In all, the book runs some 200 pages. And are you saying I got the last one? I didn't expect that. I did order from Amazon a chicken and an egg. I'll let you know.
I believe he's saying that there's only one review on Amazon (there are 5 copies available). To wit: Top review from the United States Breck Breckenridge 4.0 out of 5 stars a unique little book with its own slant Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2007 This is the book that is responsible (for good or ill!) for my ancient coin collecting focus, i.e. coins that might have been seen by St. Paul on his apostolic-missionary travels. The "players" in this historical overview are Roman emperors for the most part, those being the figures of history for which we have the best coins. Hence the era covered by these Australian authors is Augustus to Nero. I was suprised recently to discover that this book is not common. I got my copy from Jerry Walker Books. Then having really abused my copy I thought it would be nice to have a new one, only to find that Jerry was out and the only copy I could find was this one here on Amazon (at twice what I paid for mine)! I have read this book from A to Zed and backwards to forwards, marked it up shamefully, and generally had a field day with it. It is really fascinating. As a result of beginning to collect "St. Paul coins", I have managed to amass over 20 ancient Roman provincial coins, a substantial investment to say the least. All this not too far from maniacalness! Since this is a book that appeals to ancient coin collectors, others would not be interested in it. For those who ARE ancient coin collectors, and more specifically, Roman coins, beware! This could upset your whole collecting focus, as it did mine, which eventuated in me divesting myself of many "non-St. Paul" romans. Highly recommended for its unique slant on history, Rome, Roman provinces, the Roman emperors and of course the life of St. Paul and the Acts of the Apostles book in the New Testament. Read less 5 people found this helpful
I hadn't read the review, just knew that if I was going to collect ancient coins that my focus would be on biblical era coins. All pictures of coins have the RPC or Sear number with them, like the silver tetradrachm of Augustus RPC 4328, or a bronze with a bust of Apollo, Sear 4031. And there are four color pages in the middle of the book. I have one more book on order that has been delayed in shipping out. I guess spending all of my money on the books means I can just read the history and look at the pictures, because I won't be able to afford the coins!
I think you have picked a very interesting area to collect, and wish you good luck and «have fun with your coins», as David Hall of PCGS used to say. It’s possible that you may want to expand your library with David Hendins book on biblical coins later too: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hendin
If you are looking for coins from a specific location or topic look for: Daehn, William E., Annotated Bibliography of Ancient Greek Numismatics. – A Guide to Reading and Research. A Bibliography of Works Written in English with Summaries of Their Contents. This book has remained an important research tool for the numismatist of Ancient Greek numismatics, since the author included content summaries with each bibliographic reference. I great resource! I believe Bill might have a updated version as well!
The other book I have on order is by Richard Plant, titled "A Numismatic Journey Through the Bible" and has been delayed in delivery. The Bending book looks interesting, and best of all, he lives in my state. And it happens to be near my wife's sister. So she could visit her while I visit him. Hmmm, I see a visit in my future!
