Affordable collecting options/themes

I have made a large travel purchase, which means i won't be buying an Eid Mar or Romulus Augustus anytime soon.

But rather than stop purchasing coins cold turkey, I want to keep building my collection but on a greatly reduced budget. My one-per-ruler project will be on hold for awhile (i have 135 rulers so far - including empresses).

What are some affordable collecting options or themes that could be fun? What are your experiences?

My main criteria are: (1) ancient, and (2) eye appeal

 

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Your idea of a reduced budget and mine might be two very different things

Generally, anything with animals or architecture is going to carry a premium. The Gallienus zoo series is generally affordable, finding nice coins is the challenge.

 

I like the Gallienus zoo series too. I particularly like 3rd century pre-Diocletian-reform.

I'm also considering nice big Byzantines - i don't have any, and it's a logical continuation from my Roman series. Everybody was showing off their lovely Christ folles the other day. Might bid for a nice one of those on eBay.

 

"Reduced budget" means under $100 a coin

 

I recently picked up some tetrachy folli. Man they feel good in the hand.
Constantius I (Caesar)
Coin: Bronze Follis
FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C - Laureate and cuirassed bust right
GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI - Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopiae
Mint: London (300-305 AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 9.72g / 27mm / -
Rarity: Rare
References:

• RIC VI 14a

 

Oh i like that one. I like my coins nice and big!

 

Some of the others I picked up. Can't filter out the poorer ones

http://www.tantaluscoins.com/browse.php?type=0&uname=pishpash&qs=follis&sbt=0&sbc=0&go=Search

 

Pish is right
under 100 buck + nice and big + ancient might very well be a nice series of folles from the tetrarchs


Diocletian, Follis Alexandria mint, 2nd officina, c. AD 304-305
IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, Laureate bust of Diocletianus right
IOVI CONS CAES, Jupiter standing left, holding victory and spear. B in right field S | P in lower field, ALE at exergue
11.21 gr
Ref : Cohen # 173, RCV # 12805 (180), RIC VI # 41



Maximianus, Follis Aquilea mint, 1st officina, AD 301
IMP MAXIMIANVS PF AVG, Laureate head of Maximianus right
SACRA MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR, Moneta standing left, holding cornucopia and scales. AQP at exergue, V in right field
10.35 gr
Ref :RCV # 13300 (100), Cohen #504, RIC VI # 29b



Constantius, Follis Trier mint, 1st officina, AD 305-306
IMP CONSTANTIVS PF AVG, Laureate and cuirassed bust of Constantius right
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopia. S | F in field, PTR at exergue
11.09 gr
Ref : RCV # 14176 (100), Cohen #116, RIC VI # 642a



Galerius, Follis Heraclea mint, 5th officina, c. AD 296-298
GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES, Laureate bust of Galerius right
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, , Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopia, HTE at exergue
10.58 gr
Ref : RCV # 14372 (90), Cohen #78

So many types and mints that you would have fun collecting them, waiting for better times

Q

 

If "nice and big" is not a criteria, you might consider Greek silver fractional coinage. These coins are tiny, but usually cost only $50 - $75 apiece.

 

I agree with all the suggestions posted and would add some provincial TETS to the mix---they generally fall within that budget and can be exceptional in eye-appeal...not to mention rather LARGE LOL

Of course, most LRB's of high-grade also fall within those budget guidelines...

 

The collecting possibilities are endless. Inflation may have taken hold of ancients, but generally there are plenty of areas under $100. As Mikey pointed out, Alexandria tets are plentiful after a few big hoards and collections on the market. Very cheap now, and they span most of the empire. I havent really collected for many years (as a dealer ones collection always becomes inventory), but I have recently begun collecting again. As always, I simply buy what appeals to me. I bought this Crispus for $25 simply because I liked the patina:

 

Cucumbor's first follis, IOVI CONS CAES, is in splendid condition and won't usually be under $100. To prove my point I offer $100 for it now! However, the point that folles of Diocletian's reform can be big and beautiful and under $100 is well taken.

 

No necessarily. This one below sold for $60 in August. Just goes to show that if one searches enough, they can find the deals.

 

I don't have the IOVI CONS CAES, but this well-struck GENIO was well under $100...



Come to think of it, most of my coins come in under $100 apiece. Where to begin? As Ken says, the possibilities are endless.

 

I just did a quick search on VCoins for 'genius follis'. Over 1,000 coins, and many nice ones under $50. Forget Ebay and all those hassles. Plenty of nice things are available at good prices. Full disclosure: I sell on VCoins, but I dont feel any conflict of interest in this mention as I only have one up for sale at the moment.

Ken

 

The big Follis are a great way to get big coins, still at a good price. one set which can be collected are the hanging fruit.
I picked this one up not long ago for about $50.

( So Ken are you giving CT members a discount on coin and things)

Diocletian..299-303 AD.
Ae, Follis
Obv. laureate head right( large head type)
Rev. Cartage standing forward lookin' left, holding fruits in both hands.
A in Ex.
27mm x 11.06g.

 

Discounts can always be obtained! One just has to ask! On VCoins you can just click on 'Inquire about the item'. BUT, I am not here to drum up business (though it is of course appreciated). I just found this site recently and was pleased to see how it is extremely active. It's a great place to correspond with others of a like mind!

 

The big Follis are a great way to get big coins, still at a good price. one set which can be collected are the hanging fruit.
I picked this one up not long ago for about $50.

First off...........real nice coin..........esp for $50. I may need to get one.

Second.........I bought my Chicago Medal from Ken a couple weeks ago.

Very easy to work with and delivered very quickly.

 

You can collect nice coins from a variety of ancient cultures without breaking the bank. Like all collecting areas there are extreme rares, scarce coins and coins that the common folks cannot buy. As compared to the Romans or the Greeks coins of India, China and Asia in general can be had for not a lot of money.

 

There's some of us that love a deal, we have a couple of vcoin dealers that post here! which you are always welcome, with so many fakes its nice to have another set of eyes.