[Ancients] Welcome the New Members. Post a Coin and a little about Yourself.

Keep your sense of humor it will stand you in good stead.

 

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Why thank you!

Thanks,
Jacob

 

Yeah, me to that's why they call it a wish list

 

I retired from the Army in 2001 after 33 years of service. I spent tours in Vietnam and the Gulf War. Afterwards, I spent 10 years as a government contractor working much through the Defense Attache Offices around the world.

As of March of next year, my wife and I will have been married 50 years. I'm not certain how she has put up with me and my career for all that time. I have two sons that are older than many of the posters at CT, but neither of them are much interested in my collection. The oldest is a teacher in Virginia and a writer. My youngest is with the Army stationed with NATO in Poland. Both are highly educated making my BS in Sociology the lesser of all their degrees. I'm obviously very proud.

My collection is rather small at 768 Ancient coins. It covers a period from c 500 BC to 1439 AD. The bulk of my collection is Roman Republican and Imperial, but my Greek collection is gaining on the Imperial at a fast pace. Seeing as how Army green runs through my veins, it should not be surprising that my interest lie primarily in military history as shown on coins.

To be more specific, my collection passion centers around the first and second centuries BC through the same period AD. I am currently attempting to put together a set of Marcus Antonius Legionary denarii. With all the variations, I believe there are 34 examples to be found. I now have 21 examples so I am a long way from completion.


MARCUS ANTONIUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: ANT AVG III VIR R P C, Praetorian galley, thyrsos behind prow
REVERSE: CHORTIS SPECVLATORVM, three legionary standards
Patrae 32-31 BC
3.52g, 18.mm
Cr544/12; Syd 1214
ex. Marti Classical Numismatics

 

Since I'm taking the day off sick, I have some time for Coin Talk!

I'm a high school history teacher, and the only courses I teach are Ancient & Medieval history, and a section of AP European History. My schedule is overloaded this year, hence why I haven't been too active lately (I've seriously been coming home each day and working to 9 or 10...).

My doctorate was on the Normans in the 12th century, so that is what I primarily focus on in my Collecting in addition to related 12th century Coins (plus anything else that catches my fancy). For Ancients, I enjoy Coins I can use in my classroom to illustrate history (so lots related to the Silk Road and developments along it), but I also have a personal affinity to the Coins of Caracalla. I'm slowly building a portrait collection in denariis, and then grabbing the odd provincial coins too.

So, here are some of my recent purchases related to my Collecting areas:

Norman Italy - Sicily
Roger II, r. 1130-1154 (1130-8)
AE Follaro, 15.47 mm x 1.4 grams
Obv.: Ρ/Ο/ΓΕ/ΡΙ/Ο Ρ/Η/Σ (Vertically, Σ Retrograde). Roger standing with scepter in right hand
Rev.: +IC+XC+NI+KA around cross patent
Ref.: NCKS 226, [MEC 14, 177]


Imperial Rome
Caracalla, r. 198-217 (215 A.D.)
Rome Mint, AR Denarius, 19.52 mm x 3.43 grams
Obv.: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, Laureate Head right
Rev.: P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P, Pax standing left, branch in right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left
Ref.: RIC IV-1 Caracalla 268 p. 251

 

Hello, My name is David, I'm 37 years old and live in the Midwestern US. I've been collecting Flavian silver coins for 14 years. If you wish to view my collection here is a link to my Forvm gallery. http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/index.php?cat=11162

I also collect vinyl records and CDs, books, and vintage optics. I have two cats Hershey and Snickers that share my love of ancient coins.

 

I am 32 years old, a father, collector of ancient coins, amateur astronomer, but by day I am a legal professional. I have a Juris Doctor degree and a degree in International Relations. I am currently practicing law in the circuit courts of Florida, as well as Federal Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida.

I was born in Cuba, though I fled to this country when I was a child with my family. My parents were involved in anti-communist activities and my father was imprisoned for his advocacy of human rights. When he had an opportunity, he fled Cuba, and although my mother and I received a political refugee Visa to enter the United States, the Cuban government would not allow us to travel, so we escaped to the United States by boat. It was a harrowing experience for a 10-year-old, and we nearly died. As a matter of fact, I witnessed a 22-year-old girl die in front of me. We were eventually rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard and I spent 7 months in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, until a new Visa was issued allowing my family to finally reunite in the U.S. Although we struggled for many years to establish ourselves in our new homeland, eventually things went well for our family and today I am able to provide my son with many things I never had as a child, as well as the right for him to grow up in a system where he will not be persecuted for his personal thoughts and beliefs.

I've been a coin collector since the age of 12 but did not get into ancients until 2 years ago when I purchased my first ancient coin (November 2, 2015). After browsing this forum, my hunger for ancients was kindled and nearly 2 years later I have around 150 ancient coins. I have slowed down my pace of acquisition lately as I refocus my efforts on my new areas of specialization (I've gravitated away from being a generalist.) These days I am studying and tracking down mostly 3rd Century Imperials, though I still dabble in Roman coins in general, as well as Greek and Parthian/Sassanian coins.

Here is one of my recent 3rd Century acquisitions.

Gordian III
AR Antoninianus
PAX AVGVSTI reverse

PS: I am also an avid reader. Mostly history and science books, though lately, I've been reading Sci-Fi Star Trek books (I am a bit of a Trekkie). Live long and prosper! I am currently awaiting the new Star Trek series (Star Trek Discovery) with anticipation, and I am catching up on old episodes of DS9.

 

@Sallent - it's sobering to hear what people go through to get to the United States.

 

You got the watered down PG-13 version. I saw enough things in my 7 month ordeal to traumatize someone for life, so I consider myself lucky to only suffer from mild social anxiety. Could have been a lot worse.

 

It is amazing how different we are and how much the same. My intent was to go to grad school and become FitzNigel (possibly on the college level) but the draft board said I could finish the BA but would go in the Army in June 1968 like it or not. The luck of the draw saw me assigned to something I enjoyed so I stayed 20 years, 3 months and 10 days. Unlike Bing, my enjoyment waned but I had too much invested to quit before I could retire at the earliest opportunity. Like several, I collected modern coins for a while but made the switch to ancients and never looked back.

My life and family are simple. I have a 15 y.o. grandson who likes computer programming, a 43 y.o. daughter who teaches first grade, a 103 y.o. mother-in-law who greatly enjoys a daily phone call from my retired librarian wife whose birthday is today. As for our age we will only say that we were both born in the same year as three of the last four Presidents of the US but neither of us would take that job on a bet. We did 19 1/2 years in Washington DC; been there, done that!

I forgot to mention that all none of my family understands my interest in coins or history or photography or anything else that defines who I am.

 

I'm really sorry to hear that. But, also glad to hear that you're doing so well.

 

My name is Jordan. I'm in my mid twenties and work as a software developer by day. I've enjoyed working with computers my entire life and graduated a few years ago with a Bachelor's in computer science. At one point I considered getting a master's but after getting my first internship I quickly realized that I'd enjoy working in the field more than spending even more time and money in school and a year after graduation I moved to Colorado to work with startups and haven't looked back since.

Other than coin collecting, in my spare time I enjoy getting outside and hitting off road trails and camping when possible and occasionally traveling. Otherwise my wife and I are pretty boring and most of our free weeknights are spent playing board games, reading or cooking together.

As far as numismatic interests, my focus is on the Roman Republic and the related provincials and imitative issues. My primary goal is to build a collection in this area that is as comprehensive as possible but I also enjoy searching for new types and varieties and looking for things like die links and overstrikes that help better understand the coinage.

As for a coin, here's my favorite and my avatar coin:


You can read the story and info about it here.

 

Some wishes do come true.

 

@dougsmit: pass on birthday wishes to your wife. BTW, I was drafted in October 1968. It was the best thing to happen to me (other than my wife and kids). There is no telling where I'd be otherwise.

 

RIC Volume VI, Londinium, Group I, (i), folles, No. 1-5, c. 297, 11.0-9.5 gm, 28/26 mm. Obverses and Reverses in the style of the unknown Continental Mint invasion coinage. Laureate head, right, with bare neck truncation.

Exemplar coin No.1a - Diocletian:


IMP C DIOCLETIANVS PF AVG .............. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI
LON in exergue

10.1gm
As depicted in RIC Volume VI, Plate 1.
------------------------------------------
I am 88 years old.
I was born and grew up during the Depression years and WW2 in northern England (Lancashire/Yorkshire).
Emigrated to the United States in 1950 -- US Citizen
Married to Columbus, Ohio girl.
Four children/step children, eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren (all US citizens).
Retired (1972) United States Air Force Veteran (Korean War, Vietnam War).
Retired (1989) Industrial Engineer (Learjet Corporation, Allied Signal).

Lifetime pursuits/hobbies (since 10 years of age) : Calligraphy (practitioner), Coins (Roman, collecting/researching historical association), Cactus (cultivating/researching).

Latter day pursuits/hobbies (since retiring): Bookbinding, writing and maintaining web pages that are accessible to People with Disabilities and Semantic Web compliant, collecting and researching vintage woodworking hand tools, historical writing, collecting and researching Japanese Samurai swords, collecting and researching antique percussion/flintlock firearms.

My Ancient coin collecting and researching specialty: Britannic coinage of Constantius (folles) produced at the London Mint, 294-306 (sub: Julio-Claudian).

My favorite sport is Cricket (leg spin bowler) and my all-time sports hero is Don Bradman (Australia). My favorite authors are Wm. Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw. My favorite composers/music are W. A. Mozart and Big Band era.

Detailed information relating to all this is on my web sites/pages in my signature block below.

 

James, you are the coolest 88 yr old I know!

Erin

 

Nice. One of my Son-in-Laws is a Brit (originally Wales), now living here in the States for the last 10 years. One of my Grandson's is Dual-Citizen US-UK.

 

Great idea for a thread, @Curtisimo !

I collect coins of Judaea and Biblical era kingdoms. My first ancient coins were Judaean—not just one but a whole boxed set of them which I obtained from the Royal Mint in the United Kingdom. I purchased them during a very dark period of my life when I was searching for a way to get free from the torment of alcohol and pain pill addiction. I was originally shopping for holy relics and had no plans to become a coin collector. I must assure all of you that I’m not making any religious miracle claims about these coins. I can only say that shortly after I received them I decided to seek help and to make a long story short—I recently celebrated ten years clean and sober. A little over ten years ago I was on the threshold of death. My ancients collection is dear to me and symbolizes new life. I’ve become an ordained Deacon of Family Ministry and a certified substance abuse counselor. I'm married to a beautiful Jamaican woman who encourages and supports me in my charity work and ancients collecting. I give away a lot of coins but the ones below are my keepers.

 

Hi everyone,

I'm Erin and I like coins! My brother likes them too.

I collect coins that are related to the Bible. My brother is here, there and everywhere.

I came across ancients by accident on ebay when I was looking for Newfoundland coins. That was about three years ago now. Bro followed about a year later.

My favourite coin came from one of our incredibly generous members:



It's an 8 prutot from Herod the Great. I never thought I would see a coin like this in my collection.

The coin that holds the most meaning for me is the Widow's Mite. Coming from a Christian home, the stories of the Bible hold a lot of meaning. Although, by worldly standards, the widow gave very little, it was what she gave within her heart that really counted. She gave with her whole heart. I want to be better at doing this. But, my human weakness makes it really hard sometimes.

This is the bro's favourite:



This is the first mentioned in the Bible, the gold daric. He collects because he is fascinated by the history of the coins and the thought of whose hands they could have passed through.

I also love reptiles. I have three: a bearded dragon, fat-tail gecko and golden gecko. My golden gecko is now 15 years old. Good boy!

My brother also digs video games, fps, sports, etc.

I'm moving into my own place in a week and I'm kind of excited about it. But, I'm really scared.

That's it, I think.

Erin