[Ancients] Yo mamma is so old she knew Faustina the first! (Book review No. 2, Curtis)

Tetradrachms of Roman Egypt, by James Curtis. Originally published 1957, 1990 edition.

Note: Much of this review is a comparison to J.G. Milne's work. If you haven't read my review yet (along with the color commentary), then you probably should. http://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancients-look-what-the-befana-brought-me.241063/

Overall impression: Curtis is a light read, since it was originally published over a series of two years in the Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine. It was intended to be a hand book that wasn't too thick or too simple for the average collector, so as to give him a guide, rather than another exhaustive catalog (a man after Doug's own heart). To accomplish this, Curtis only lists major legend and reverse types, and so comes up with about 2150 catalog numbers, rather than the 5200 of Milne.

SPA (Specific Points of Awesome): Major reverse types by issuer, rarity tables, cyclopedia of reverse types, major reverse types census, cataloging system, illustrated auction catalogs.

SPA 1. Major reverse types by issuer: Like Milne, Curtis loved his lists. However, on most points he differs from Milne by providing less (or condensed) information and different formats. In this section Curtis made three major improvements. One, he reduced the list from stating the types of each year, to giving the types that were issued over each emperor's whole reign. Two, he provided a picture of the obverse for nearly every issuer, giving the reader an idea of what each emperor's portrait style might be. Three, using the photos he created a stylish staggered format. Nice!

SPA 2. Rarity tables: Curtis assigns rarity by using the total number of pieces of each issuer included in three major collections (Dattari, the British Museum, and the Ashmolean Museum), the average number of pieces in those collections, the number of pieces in the Hunter collection, and how many pieces he had in his collection (the idea is to show the availability to the average collector). He then separates them into six sections based on their apparent rarity.

SPA 3. Cyclopedia of reverse types: Curtis' cyclopedia is something that should have been in Milne, an alphabetical illustrated, list of the major reverse types. Those of you who read my review of Milne will recall my whining (no use sugar coating it) about the fact that many of the reverse types weren't illustrated. Well, it looks like Curtis had the same idea, and decided to do something about it. While the engraving styles certainly changed over time, it still gives you a good idea of the props they're holding etc.



SPA 4. Reverse type census: Before the listing of each emperor's coins are four numbers, the number of major reverse types known, the number in the British Museum Collection, the number in Milne, and the number in Curtis' collection. It's an interesting gauge for seeing how complete each of these collections were.

SPA 5. Cataloging system: In the thread on the subject of Milne, one member posted that it was a bit hard to work with that Milne's coding system. Well, those who are of the same opinion rejoice! Curtis lists the obverse and reverse with clear descriptions (nearly) every time.
Halleluiah!!!! After that he includes the corresponding number in the British Museum Collection and (you should have guessed by now) Milne.



SPA 6 Illustrated auction catalogs: Included are five sets of auction catalogs, one of which has much of Curtis' collection, and all with pictures! What have we done to deserve this honor?
As you can see, some of them have nice little descriptions underneath, with nice little photos...


...and some of them needed to take Doug's photography advice.



One interesting tidbit, Milne's book was the catalog of the Ashmolean Museum even though it's not titled as such. Interesting right? So to wrap it up, I hope you all enjoyed my review.

Cheers!

 

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Not my area of interest, but nice work with the review, Vlaha.

 

Thanks so much for the review, vlaha!

 

Vlaha........you cant be 14?
I am speechless.................................................................
Nice work my friend

 

awesome review, vlaha => you had me at "Yo mamma"

 

Yeah, thanks Steve. I figured that if I was going to such a long review than I might as well place something funny/random at the beginning.

 

Well done young Lad, well done...

 

you just won the coveted "i know who chrsmat71 is going to go to when he can't ID his alexandrian tet" award.

nice review vlaha!

 

This review, coupled with the Milne, promotes you to the position of Most Valuable Ancient Coin Talker. Thank you very much! While some will point out the title makes it obvious, Curtis only covers tetradrachms so will be useless when trying to research your drachms. Also, Curtis wrote other books/articles on Egyptian coins so a buyer must be careful not to pay book money for a copy of his lesser works.

Anyone doubting the worth of the illustrations needs to explain to all how to tell Dikaiosyne from Homonoia from Elpis from several others who show up on the reverses. The easy answer is a photo/drawing/rubbing of each.

 

Yeah. I actually prefer drawings actually. I always found good drawings better at conveying what a collector needs to see.

Good job Vlaha. You can come over and review some coin books in my library anytime. Do one a week and you might be through it in just a little over a decade.