I'm sure that most everyone who seriously collects ancients has many different reference books in their library. This one is a bit different in that it is much older than any other I have on my shelves. Written by Zachary Goetz the "DE NUMIS DISSERTATIONES XX" was published in 1716. The binding on this one is very worn but I liked it because the pages are in quite a nice condition. I really can't make out the Latin(?) text but there are some interesting coin engravings. Here's some examples: Not sure if it is, but this is the oldest published book on ancient coins I could find (are their earlier ones?).
What a wonderful book! I saw the Julius Caesar 'Veni Vidi Vici' coin and thought "oh no!" but sure enough, in Latin just below the image, "The one spurious, the other a genuine coin."
Great acquisition @Brian Bucklan ! The oldest numismatic book I'm aware of is the Historia Imperialis written by Giovanni Mansionario between 1313-1320. He illustrated the obverse of Roman Imperial coins of the Emperors mentioned in his text. I believe there is a manuscript in the Vatican's Library.
I love old numismatic books, but only have facsimile editions or read them online! What a cool purchase, @Brian Bucklan! I have that Faustina coin!
DE NUMIS DISSERTATIONES XX can be searched at Google Books. The first illustrated, printed numismatic book is Illustrium Imagines (”Images of the Illustrious”). Printed in 1517. If you like this kind of thing, Kolbe published a translation of Bassoli's ANTIQUARIAN BOOKS ON COINS AND MEDALS FROM THE FIFTEENTH TO THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. New copies still available, inexpensively. I read this book 20 years ago, I can't find my copy now to tell you what-all is in there.
From one numismatic bibliophile to another, congrats @Brian Bucklan ! Much like the coins we study, it is a beautiful link to the past that you can hold in your hands.
