New to Ancients

I just wanted to say hi and admit that I've been bitten by the bug.

I've collected US coins for years and just moved my collection into my office and reorganized. While doing so I came across several uncleaned Greek and Roman ancients I had bought a few years ago. I dusted them off and have been reading a number of websites trying to get a handle on the "new" lingo and figure out where I want to start.

I guess Late Roman a Bronze is a typical starting point. I was also thinking Sicilian, given my ancestry. If anyone has any advice I'm all ears. In the meantime, I'll continue reading through threads and a ton of sites I've found.

Looking forward to talking with everyone and learning.

Frank

 

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welcome, frankjg

 

Hail Frank! Advice? I'd say to listen to Doug Smith and visit his website: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/

 

I'd say, depends on 2 things only.......
1. What takes your fancy...what coins do you really like?
2. What is your budget?
You will inevitably reach a compromise somewhere in the middle of the two, in other words you'll decide gold is nice but too expensive (unless you are ancient Joe)
and setttle on something realistic and achievable.
Late Roman bronze is a good cheap starting point (generally) if you want to start building a collection of quality coins.....
as you drift into more exotic and expensive coins, unless you have deep pockets, the quality will slope off ........
oh....point 3, maybe you'll not focus on any particular type/era and just go with your heart to build up a collection of ancient 'odds n sods' which are special to you simply because they are eye candy and took your breath away!
either way, its an exciting road to go down, one which I have only just started walking and it'll be nice to have you on the 'dark side'

 

I think ancients are kinda boring, and they are ugly. I wouldn't bother with them at all.

 

Here's some awful looking coins

 

Welcome to the bored btw

 

Collecting as many Roman Imperial rulers is a good start. Which is exactly what I've been doing. In 2 years I've managed to collect around 130 ancient coins, 73 Roman Imperial rulers.

http://www.tantaluscoins.com/coins/grid263.php

 

Welcome, Frank!

Coins of ancient Sicily are fantastic. Pricier than late Roman bronzes, of course... but given your connection to the place you might be more interested in them. Some of the coins which are considered the finest in numismatic art are from that area.

 

I'll have to disagree. lol

 

Welcome, Frank!

In addition to what everyone else has said, I think that just looking at lots of ancient coins is going to give you a good idea of what you may fancy (and thereafter read up on, given that there really is alot to read). Sites like Vcoins and Forum are good starting points for browsing and buying when you're ready.

You'll find lots of Roman coins from the mid 3rd century to the 4th century which are relatively cheap and in decent condition... coins of Gordian III, Probus, Gallienus, Diocletian (and the other tetrarchs), and the Constantinian and Valentinian dynasties come to mind.

 

Thanks everyone. I'm reading through Dave's beginner guide now... Thanks for the heads up on that vlaha.

Somehow I don't believe you randygeki... Nice coins btw

 

thems is purdy.....

 

Currently import of Sicilian coins (and all pre-denarius Italians) are restricted if you live in the US. There are many already in this country but, if you live in the USA, it might be good to pick them up while you can or get interested in something else on the theory that they won't make a good specialty until the politicians in the State Department are turned out.

I never recommend a beginner specialize in anything. Buy what you find appealing and don't listen to guys like me who tell you should be buying. As vlaha mentioned, I have well over a hundred pages of opinions online but you should buy what strikes you and leave the ones I like for me. You will have plenty of time to pick a specialty later (and I love Sicilians along with a hundred other specialties).

 

Unlike modern coins, ancient coins don't lend themselves easily to categories or collectible themes. As a U.S. coin collector, you've probably specialized in certain coin types (e.g., Lincoln Head cents, Liberty Standing half dollars, etc.) and your goal as a collector is defined by those denominations. In ancients, there are much broader ranges of coin types, and it is literally impossible to have a "complete collection" of anything.

(BTW, it's Doug, not Dave as you write in your post above.) Since you've collected modern coins, you might find it somewhat difficult to follow Doug's recommendation not to specialize. It's natural to want your collection to have some sort of focus. On the other hand, there are a lot of appealing ancient coins and it's easy to find a wide variety of coins that might appeal to your initial interests. One of the best approaches to figuring out what you want is to do a lot of reading and research before you actually buy any particular coin. For example, look at this page from Forum Ancient coins:

http://www.forumancientcoins.com/Resources/Collector_Resources.html

If you scroll all the way to the bottom of the left column, you'll find Forum's Portrait Gallery, based on the theme "portraits of ancient Roman emperors." Browse through them and see if they appeal to you, or if you just like certain portraits or certain denominations (aurei, denarii, sestertii, etc.). This is an example of how research and online resources can be helpful in defining your collecting focus.

If you browse through the threads on this site, you'll notice a lot of back-and-forth about the quality of coins that are purchased by collectors of ancients. In my opinion, this is a very significant decision that's better to make early in your ancient-collecting life: do you want to focus on fewer coins of better quality (but more expensive), or more coins of moderate quality that are more affordable? Think about this a good deal before making a commitment.

Good luck, and don't hesitate to ask a lot of questions.

 

What I suggest to beginners is more like a US Type Set except I do not suggest letting it bother you that you do not have a Chain Cent. I own exactly one half dime. If I bought another, it would be a Bust type rather than another seated because I'm not into half dimes enough to care about mintmarks or arrows. After you have collected a while, you will know whether you want a hundred variations on one type or not.

I agree with Ides' statement on quality. The two of us made opposite decisions. I could sell my entire collection and buy one or two of his coins - maybe ten, even. The founder of Google collects ancients. He could buy my numbers with Ides' quality.

"Good luck, and don't hesitate to ask a lot of questions." Good advice from Ides!

 

Exactly => man, that's awesome advice, Dave!!

 

Sorry Doug.. And thanks for the advice and links Ides.

The recent thread on incuse punch coins has piqued my interest. I'm starting to read up on them and do some searching on forum and vcoins.

 

If you want a very cool, reasonably available, Piece-O-Awesome (TM) try one of these: http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?search=THRACE, Chersonesos Hemidrachm&view_mode=1&en=1&de=1&fr=1&it=1&es=1&ol=1&sort=&c=&a=&l=#0

And book mark ascearch, It's pretty useful.

 

I'd say, depends on 2 things only.......
1. What takes your fancy...what coins do you really like?
2. What is your budget?
You will inevitably reach a compromise somewhere in the middle of the two, in other words you'll decide gold is nice but too expensive (unless you are ancient Joe)
and setttle on something realistic and achievable.
Late Roman bronze is a good cheap starting point (generally) if you want to start building a collection of quality coins.....
as you drift into more exotic and expensive coins, unless you have deep pockets, the quality will slope off ........
oh....point 3, maybe you'll not focus on any particular type/era and just go with your heart to build up a collection of ancient 'odds n sods' which are special to you simply because they are eye candy and took your breath away!
either way, its an exciting road to go down, one which I have only just started walking and it'll be nice to have you on the 'dark side'