OK so I posted the first time this morning and thank you all for your responses. I'm pretty excited about this. It sounds like for me the later Roman coins are the way to go (I have a relatively low budget but decent amount of time). I have seen where people mentioned they have been putting together sets. I assume this is similar to Whitman books or the like for US cents? This seems like a good way to get started and also start learning. Can anyone suggest some different ones I might consider? Being able to get decent looking coins for not too much money is my main criterion. If I can have different suggestions selected then I can choose the one(s) I like best. One thing I do not mind is if I can not complete the set - i.e. "this would be a great set except you'll never get the ultra rare XXX from XXX". Holes do not bother me too much. Also size does not bother me too much. If a set has 30 coins then that will be fun to complete slowly over time. Thanks again guys. Geoff
Welcome to the world of ancients where there really isnt any "set". There is so many factors when it comes to ancients that really there is no way to make a set. Basically you define how you want to make the set. There is no easy books to guide you like red book. There is plenty of ancient books that Medorman can tell you about. For later romans, check out the links below, see which ones you like. Let the coin speak to you. http://bargainbinancients.com/zen/i...Path=5&zenid=9810235097fba78004394ad657380018 http://bargainbinancients.com/zen/i...Path=6&zenid=9810235097fba78004394ad657380018 http://bargainbinancients.com/zen/i...Path=7&zenid=9810235097fba78004394ad657380018 With me it was empresses.
No such thing really as a folder for ancients, so you make your own "set". Common "sets" of late Roman would be, (off the top of my head): 1. Reverse types 2. Set of mints 3. Rulers from 300-400 4. "Advanced sets" such as different types of Fel Temp, Votive, or Campgate reverses. 5. Set of each bust type used for a particular emperor. 6. Empresses, (I had to put this one in for Mat). Those are just the obvious ones. You could even go as far as each officiana for a certain mint, etc. Late Romans are unusual in that generically they are common so inexpensive, but have many varieties that most people do not pay attention to. It is VERY possible to buy very rare coins cheaply due to these facts.
Reverse types are when the bust faces left? Set of mints would be all the coins minted in a certain city? That doesn't seem too interesting. What do you mean by bust type (#5)?
Reverse Type means the scene depicting on the reverse side of the coin. Set of mints would be one coin from each mint in the empire. Bust type would mean all of the different styles or depictions of the emperor on different coins, (types of cloths, headwear, what he is holding in his hand, etc). Sorry, ancient collectors use these phrases so much we forget new people aren't aware what they mean.
Reverse types are like for instance: The goddess Victory or some other gods like Hercules, Animals, Temples or Buildings. Bust types can be: Draped bust right, Laureate and draped bust right, laureate head left; so basically whatever the head is featured/wearing.
Oh right I should have known what you meant by reverse. Didn't I read somewhere that most Roman coins had the bust facing right and leftward facing ones do exist but are rare? Or is this just wrong? Hmm I suppose picking according to what the head has on it could be interesting... I actually like the idea of going by the reverse. I'm not sure yet. Too many options
It depends. Facing right definitely is more common, but some emperors have facing left as a common type. Unfortunately, ancient coins are such a huge field most answers to your questions will be: It depends.
Ive only been into ancients almost 4 years and I am still learning something new almost everyday. Things you know/learned with moderns and such you just basically have to throw away, even cleaning and handling them. I truly love ancients & I am glad the veteran collectors here helped me with questions and their opinions! There is more history with one junk ancient then most u.s. coins could ever hope.
Yeah this is great. When browsing what's it worth for the past few weeks, Lincoln pennies just aren't exciting. But these coins are something else altogether different. Thanks again for all your guy's help.
Oh and another tip. Just because you find/own a rare ancient doesnt mean you will get 4 figures for it. Some "rarities" can be sold for $25 or less. Another aspect different from a modern/a 1909 s V.D.B. scenario.
And in my mind a wonderful one. Who cares about money? The thrill, however, of owning a truly rare ancient Roman coin.....what can be cooler than that! Honestly, if I could sign a letter today promising I would never make a penny on an ancient coin, but that letter would allow me to be able to afford all of the great coins I would love to own, I would sign it in a heartbeat. Owning something that makes your heart race is much better than monetary gains to me.
I agree with what both of you said. I mean I would prefer to collect these coins in the first place and then they also require less finances? Best of both worlds. Now I just need a decent coin so I can set up an avatar
Well I have posted the links to affordable real ancients from a trusting dealer to get you started. Avoid ebay for now!
Aaaaaaah! Another new person to ancients, welcome. I don't feel like the bay anymore. I also just started in ancients about a month ago and Mat and medoraman have been very helpful in their guidance. The site Mat suggested, bargainbinancients, is pretty good.
If I can give one piece of advice: Learn the history behind the coin; otherwise, it is just a chunk of cold and lifeless metal. This site is among the best on numismatics and on history as it relates to numismatics: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/ This non-numismatic site is extremely weak on numismatics, but is the best on Ancient Roman history: http://www.unrv.com/ This site gives a very excellent introduction of the obverses and reverses of late Roman Bronze coins. It might give a few ideas about potential "later Roman sets": http://www.tesorillo.com/aes/home.htm guy
