Beginner 'Ancient type set'- your opinion?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by JayAg47, Jan 27, 2021.

  1. JayAg47

    JayAg47 Well-Known Member

    I have made a list of ancient coins for a beginner ancient collector, it covers the major geographical areas of ancient world. I know that one should focus on coins that they like and type-sets for ancient coins can be highly subjective compared to modern type-sets, regardless I made this, and want to know your opinion on what some other areas/coins that are affordable and interesting for an ancient beginner (who already has some background knowledge on numismatics in general).

    This is my set:
    1. Greek- an iconic drachma of Alexander III
    2. Roman- an Imperial denarius
    3. Persia- a coin from any of the Achaemenid/Parthia/Sassanians
    4. A coin from the city of Alexandria
    5. A coin from Judea
    6. A coin from Byzantium
    7. Arabic/Islamic coin
    8. India- preferably a coin from a native Hindu kingdom
    9. Chinese cash coin
    10. Medieval Europe (can be from a region of your interest, I chose England).

    The coin set below is worth around 200 usd.
    ancient type set.jpg

    Untitled.png
     
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  3. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    It certainly is representative of a broad area of ancient numismatics.
     
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  4. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Nice broad representation, @JayAg47 .
     
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  5. Only a Poor Old Man

    Only a Poor Old Man Well-Known Member

    Actually, such a set would make a great gift towards an impressionable youth (a relative in most cases) that one plans to hook into collecting ancients. Pair these with your fancy labels, and as a cherry on top you could add brief print-outs that introduce the fascinating aspects of those civilizations. If this doesn't get the recipient interested in ancient coin collecting, nothing will!
     
  6. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    I think that is a great set! Lots of history and different geographic areas. I love it.
     
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  7. Spaniard

    Spaniard Well-Known Member

    Cool idea!....Maybe add Iberic and Celtic examples?
    Set looks really nice showing the different metals and fabrics used.
     
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  8. JayAg47

    JayAg47 Well-Known Member

    I thought about adding Celts too, but I guess they can be intimidating at first, so many varieties, and abstractness! however I guess one can start off with Celtic-imitated tetradrachms, they're more general and a cheap way to get chunky piece of an ancient silver!
     
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  9. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    After I clean and identify a coin I generate a page like below that is included in my coin album. The page and the coin will have an associated number.

    Constantius II, AE3, 326-328, Thessalonica, Officina 2
    FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C
    Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right
    PROVIDEN_TIAE CAESS
    Campgate with six rows, two turrets, no doors, star above, top and
    bottom row empty blocks
    SMTSB in exergue
    19mm x 20mm, 3.96g
    RIC VII, 158
    Retains nearly all of the silvered surfaces
    upload_2021-1-27_9-4-5.png
     
  10. Hamilcar Barca

    Hamilcar Barca Well-Known Member

    I collect mainly Imperial Roman and Carthaginian but now you have me interested in this approach. Thanks!
     
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  11. svessien

    svessien Senior Member

    This is basically the way that I collect. I like to move between periods and coin types.
    If the greatest reward of collecting is knowledge, you choose which kind of knowledge you want to gain: Broad and general, or narrow and deep. I prefer the broad perspective. Right now I find Asian and Islamic coins more interesting than Roman, for example.
    I started out like most do: Album pages of similar coins in the highest grade possible. That soon became monotonous for me. It’s a good thing we’re different.
     
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  12. Evan Saltis

    Evan Saltis OWNER - EBS Numis LLC Supporter

    This is one of those things that if you really wanted to, you could get coins in bulk, uncleaned or cleaned, make little sets, and sell them off as a "starter kit" or something.

    I'm sure something like that would pull a few bucks.
     
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  13. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    That is a very reasonable list to get started. I’d consider Celtic as mentioned above.

    If you wanted to expand with some more precise coin types that can still be had very reasonably I suggest some of the following.
    1. Proto-money
    2. A coin of an empress or other female leader
    3. A coin showing a building that still stands
    4. A small coin with impressive style
    5. A coin that references a specific historical event
     
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