Lord Marcovan's "Eclectic Box of 20" Collection

You should go for it! Take the plunge.

I've loved ancient coins since childhood, but never got around to seriously collecting them until 2007, when I finally said, "What am I waiting for?" and jumped in with both feet.

I think all too many people are intimidated by all the scholarly stuff that goes along with ancient coins, but there really is no reason to be. You just take little bites and gradually add to your knowledge as you go along. There is nobody alive who knows everything there is to know about ancient coins, and nobody, not even the British Museum, has a "complete" set of even just the Roman emperors, for example.

Regardless how knowledgeable people become in the field, there is always more to be learned about them, and there is room for as much (or as little) scholarship as you want to pursue. These days I mostly pursue them on an aesthetic basis more than anything. Sure, I read up on the history of the coins I have, but I couldn't tell you what RIC number or variety or whatever. I use a few quick-n'-easy references like Wildwinds.com and rely on the seller's attributions, mostly.

For me, it's eye appeal first and history a close second, but all the other minutiae don't matter so much as far as I'm concerned.

Wayne Sayles' Collecting Ancient Coins series of books are very instructional and readable without being too overwhelming. A good place to start for somebody who's thinking about getting into ancients.

 

You have a whole Ancient Coin (or World Coin) forum to advise you when you do.

 

Yikes! This IS an oldie!

One of my earlier posts here, while transitioning over from the Collectors Universe forums.

"Box of 20"! Ha! That limit flew out the window a few years ago. More like a "Box of 50 (-ish)" these days.

My last update from September 7, 2019 is already outdated as of this post.