If you're going to let a history book define your collecting focus, why not Mary Beard?

I would never look down on you or anyone else for what they collect. I love the fact that collectors are as diverse as their collections. I really enjoy seeing what attracts others. I admire many differing collecting paths. I can see the value in not having a strict focus and collecting what you are attracted to, and I can also see the value of a focussed collection no matter what that focus is. For example Doug I really enjoy reading about and seeing your Severans though I know nothing about them and really cannot make any intelligent comments about them. I would never tell you or anyone else not to collect them. I have been told on this board a number of times that collecting the 12 Caesars is somehow a lesser pursuit because it is popular and not worthy of serious study. I feel that I have learned a considerable amount from my collection though this learning will never be complete. There is always more to know.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I would hope I never gave you the impression any collection goal is better or worst than the others. I think the 12 Caesars set gets a bad rap due to many, many new collectors only want to concentrate on this, and pretty much ignore all other ancients. There tends to be a snobbery of some 12 Caesar collectors that their pursuit is better as well.

My suggestion is everyone check their ego and openly embrace all ancient coins. Early empire coins are fantastic, as can be any other era of Roman coins, or Persian, or Chinese. Greek has a whole world just within Greek of fantastic areas of collecting. You do not have to collect them yourself, but no one area is superior to another.

Just my opinion.

 

I love your Vespasian dupondius! It has what I call "the look".

As far as what to collect, what series, which coins/emperors , etc. I believe there just is no one answer. Rome went on for 12 centuries in the west and an additional 1000 years in the east. It is only natural that some periods or emperors would be more appealing to some than others. Collect what interests you and prompts you to do more learning /investigating. Search out the coins that give you the most fun. I remember some of my greatest thrills of collecting were when I was just a kid holding $0.25 Ants of Galienus in my hands. I recently purchased this small bronze from Teanum Sidicinum because my Grandfather was born there many years ago. It had a special meaning to me.

Regarding Mary Beard, all her books are a joy to read, including "The Roman Triumph", "Fires of Vesuvius". There is a great series (3 episodes) on you tube presented by her entitled "Meet the Romans".

 

Although I have had many collecting themes in the past I no longer collect by any method other than 'what I like'. It's what pleases me and thats all that matters.

As for SPQR, I have had a copy for about a year now but simply havent had the time to read it.

 

The 14 emperors are a pretty interesting group, as most of the individuals have a nice variety of coin types with some very interesting reverses and the artistic standards are often quite high. I will show a few.
1. Caius Sestertius
2. Claudius Sestertius
3. Nero Sestertus Temple of Janus reverse Rome mit
4. Trajan Sestertius Reverse Trajan standing
5. Pius Sestertius Revese Temple of Roma

 

Beautiful coins.

 

The only one I'm missing is Nerva.

I'm not going to post all 13 I have, but I will post my favorite of the set.



Other than Septimius Severus whose wild beard cannot be matched or surpassed, no other bearded emperor comes close to Verus' excellent beard.

 

I guess I missed a few. I will add two
1. Vespasian Sestertius Reverse Pax
2. Domitian Sestertius Reverse Jupiter View attachment 927616 View attachment 927618