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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Ardatirion, post: 505015, member: 9204&quot;]Its taken me two years of collecting, but I&#039;ve finally found a specialty. Rather, three. </p><p><br /></p><p>- ancient tessera - Tokens of the ancient world, often used for purposes such as entry into the amphitheater. Commonly struck or cast in lead or bronze. </p><p><a href="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=2267" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=2267" rel="nofollow">http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=2267</a></p><p><br /></p><p>- imitations and counterfeits of ancient coins - Contemporary counterfeits, struck both within and beyond the borders of the Roman Empire. The styles at times deviate dramatically from official issues. </p><p><a href="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=1602" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=1602" rel="nofollow">http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=1602</a></p><p><br /></p><p>and less important to me, as its more expensive</p><p>- coinage of Roman Alexandria, Egypt - a fascinating series stretching from Augustus to Diocletian, with some amazing themes and designs. </p><p><a href="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=2258" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=2258" rel="nofollow">http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=2258</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I&#039;ve begun assembling a library for these, as well. Alexandria is the best published of the three areas, and the standard reference by Keith Emmett is available for only $50 or 60. The best work on tessera is written in Latin and published in 1903,&nbsp;&nbsp; <i>[FONT=&amp;quot]Tesserarum Urbi Romae et Suburbi Plumbearum Sylloge[/FONT]</i>. Its very expensive, but I&#039;ll find one soon. As far as imitations go, there is no standard reference, only scattered hoard reports. </p><p><br /></p><p>These coins, particularly from the first two areas, are a thrill to collect, to me. Tessera are very difficult to find, and I saw only one at the whole NYINC, which I of course bought. Imitations are common enough, but to find one with good preservation and outrageous enough style is quite a challenge. Alexandrian coinage is comparatively common, but many of it is struck in lesser style, and a piece in fine style is quite a find. </p><p><br /></p><p>Of course, I&#039;ll continue to acquire other coins, both from the Roman Empire, the Greek world, and beyond. I&#039;m meandering my way towards a collection of all the emperors, focusing solely on the Imperial coinage and not counting the provincial. </p><p><br /></p><p>What do you think?[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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