http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/book.html#vagi I reviewed it when it came out. The author went on to be the force behind NGC ancient slabs. My 2000 prediction of it becoming a standard reference was wrong and I realize now that people don't want beginner books that teach more than they catalog. If you buy it used, be sure you understand if you are getting one or both volumes. Opinions differ on which was better so you can find singles offered at a discount by people who thought the other was the better. I will always remember it for listing correctly the Anonymous Pagan AE4's of the early 4th century. Vagi, David L. Coinage and History of the Roman Empire The most awaited event of 1999 was the publication of David Vagi's two volume work on Roman Imperial coins. In most respects, we were not disappointed. These two volumes belong in EVERY numismatic library. The books contain a wealth of information presented in a manner that makes it easy to read the part necessary to understand a newly acquired coin or to answer a newly arisen question. Some may criticize the amount of repetition (the story of the death of Geta is retold for each of the family members) but this same repetition insures that the important points are not lost on the casual reader. Volume One is a serialized history of Rome told with a chapter for each of 250+ rulers and family members who appear on coins. The content and presentation are excellent with short introductions to various periods added to help the reader understand the links between the individual biographies. Where history has left the facts less than clear, the author explains the theories and is quite open about the fact that not everything in Roman history is fully understood (by him or anyone else). Volume Two begins with a truly great 180 page introduction to collecting Roman Imperial coins. Chapters cover types, denominations, mints, dating, grading and other subjects that must be understood by someone at all interested in collecting these coins. This section alone, if published separately, would be a great service to hobby and to the education of beginning collectors. The catalog that occupies the following nearly 450 pages is, in my opinion, the least valuable part of the books. Again listed personality by personality, tables list a few representative 'special' coins and price them in three different grades. Common or 'not special' coins are lumped together by denomination with a general price for all similar coins of that ruler. Therefore, for example, we see a listing (Vagi 1746) for denarii of Septimius Severus priced from $15 to $100 and eleven more listings for 'special' types (it will be easy to ask why some were included and others omitted!) ranging from $20 to $3000. Most collectors (and nearly all dealers) will consider his prices low but I see them as representative of average auction results and coin show sales where the dealer provides little in the way of services other than making the coins available. Coins trading by private treaty with full dealer advice and services will certainly sell for more. While the entries are numbered, the plain fact that 95% of coins seen in the marketplace are covered only by the generic listings (like our example of Septimius Severus' Vagi 1746). The catalog will do little good for identifying specific types. Each reign listing includes a list of obverse legends that should allow identification of most coins to the ruler but persons wanting a laundry list of all the types found will still need a set of RIC (also reviewed on this page). Prepublication hype suggested this work would replace the David Sear book (not reviewed here but due a major revision which I hope will spur me to include it). Vagi is no Sear. The intent and coverage is entirely different. Vagi is entirely on the Empire while Sear is most interested in the Republic and is seriously short on treatment of coins after the Julio-Claudians. Vagi has over 800 pages on history and collecting information before getting to the catalog section; Introductory sections of Sear are minimal. Most serious collectors will own both. The two Vagi volumes are well bound and well produced (although I find the font used hard on the eyes due to the thin lines and small size). Photos are not overly numerous but what were provided are really excellent selections from my favorite resource (did you read my review of old auction catalogs?). The book was dressed up with old line drawings from public domain sources that have nothing to do with coins and waste (my opinion!) space better used with more of the excellent CNG photos of coins. A third volume reproducing all the types available from their files and indexed to Vagi pages would make really great resource. As it is, the books are a great value at the full list price and will become a standard of the numismatic library. Back to menu Jan 00
