What does it mean when someone refers to a collection of coins as fine, as in a "fine collection." Not fine in reference to grade or condition of specific coins in the collection such as F or VF, but as in fine wine or fine art. How do you go about acquiring a fine collection? Should such a collection be large or small? In what ways would a fine collection of ancient coins be similar or different from a fine collection of U.S. or modern coins? Any thoughts, opinions, advice, wisdom, or experiences in regard to any of these questions will be greatly appreciated.
It can be any number of reasons. It could be a big variety of coins within the collection, it could be something that consisted of a specialty of some sort like Die matches, complete mint set of a particular area, or if you have deep pockets & can afford buying high grade examples & assembling high grade ancients. There really isnt a clear definition of a fine collection. Its whatever you make it really. I think Dougsmit has a fine collection of ancients all around, Ardatirion has a fine set of Roman lead tesserae going on, Randy has a nice fallen horseman set being built. I myself seem to focus on empresses but also the best portrait of a emperor my budget can buy.
To me the term sounds like something that would be used by someone trying to convince someone that the collection was assembled carefully rather than buying coins at random (the way I buy coins) with emphasis on high value items that don't show up on the market on an everyday basis. I know several dealers in 'fine' coins but most of them have the taste not to throw the term around loosely.
HMMM...tough one. What one considers a fine collection another might consider lacking. My collection of modern coins might not be as 'fine' a collection when compared to a collector of more traditional classic issues. It's a pitfall that the hobby sometimes draws us into.....comparing collections. Collecting is a very personal endeavor. One assembles what he feels is best (by his own means and financial abilities) and hopes to achieve a certain goal. That goal could be as simple as putting together a collection of Lincoln Memorial cents in the highest quality and affordability of the person collecting it. That could be a 'fine collection'. Another collector with more monetary means might put together a set of St. Gaudens double eagles in uncirculated condition. Another might do the same, but his criteria for "fineness' might be MS-66 or better. Bragging rights. My collection is better than yours. Don't get caught up in it. Collect what you want and what you can afford and I assure you my friend, you'll have a "fine collection"........ [edit] Oh dear, I didn't realize I was in the 'ancients' arena but the logic still applies......
Hi Doug I like your answer. Although Mat just described your collection as "fine" even though you say you buy coins at random, which according to some would make it the opposite. green18 - it's a great reply even though you weren't thinking of ancients when you wrote it. One of the reasons the question came to my mind was reading a section of a book by Q. David Bowers focusing on modern coins in which he lists tips for forming a "fine" collection. Of course, the criteria for judging modern coins do not apply 100% to ancients since each is unique and hand struck.
I don't collect ancients, but I sometimes read threads in other areas than I am interested in. I like the answers given. Thanks for putting up the thread.
My input would be a "fine collection", while being a loose term, would normally be applied to a collection, (or subcollection if one has a very large collection), that is a good representation overall of what it pertains to. I will give an example. My Sogdian pieces now encompass every area of Sogdiana, every metal save gold they minted, and numbers about 120 pieces. I have most major types struck, but of course not an example of every coin. I would rate mine as a "fine collection", its a good one I think, but not a "major" or "important" collection, which would denote much more serious holdings. My anonymous bronzes would alse be in the same boat, as well as other subcollections I have. I know Doug and many others here have the same. I would also label Mat's Empresses a fine collection. Basically, "fine" means a nice little collection, fairly representational and collected as a group on purpose. Its way down the totem pole in importance to some other terms though, like I said would be "major, Important, substantial", etc. Just my opinion. Chris
A fine collection of Ancients is any collection that gives me insight into life of the Ancient World (and that's not hard to do). For me, a crude inexpensive late Roman Bronze can inspire hours of study. That said, here are two examples of really nice collections that I would enjoy studying further: http://www.ancientmoney.org/ http://www.ngccoin.com/gallery/twelve-caesars/gallery.aspx guy
