What is a 12 Caesars set?

I agree with all the comments about deciding on a particular collecting theme---I have been putting together a 12 Caesars set for a number of years and just recently 'completed' it with an Otho purchase---a mixture of coin types and denominations....and now everything else under the sun LOL

I love what Bing and all of you have posted---and Welcome back Gil !!!

 

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De gustibus non est disputandum.

There will always be differences of opinions on whether a collector of ancients should focus on some sort of theme, or instead collect across all ranges of ancient coins that have some semblance of interest or curiosity to the collector. I had collected for about a year before I realized that I was intensely interested in the 12 Caesars period for a very simple reason: It’s arguably the most dynamic, formative, and compelling historical period not only of the Roman Empire but of Euro-centric civilization as a whole. Much of its history is represented in its coins, and holding these coins in one’s hand fires the imagination and extends one’s appreciation and insight into an era and empire whose range and standards of living (as in the ancient city of Rome during the period of the 12 Caesars) would not be equaled for 1500 years.

If you are interested in collecting the 12 Caesars, then by all means, focus your efforts on that period. If your interests change as you do this, then feel free to refocus your efforts.

 

I like your insights on this subject. I have also considered Nerva just as valid as other Caesars, and like you say, Otho is insignificant. Thanks, again for your insights.

 

You could go what I tend to be known for, Empresses. From the first ancient I bought I found he had a wife and had to acquire one and that one turned to more and more ladies. I have a great attraction to Empress coinage. I still need a few rare ladies, but it comes with time.

I have many side collections. I also enjoy Tetradrachms. Most can be bought pretty cheap, especially the later ones. They are chunky and have their own character too them.

 

Interesting opinion---especially when one considers Nerva was mostly known for 'adopting' Trajan and Otho for committing suicide rather than prolong the bloodshed in the quest for the purple.

 

Lemme fix that for you:

*Some* Egyptian tetradrachms can be bought pretty cheap, especially the later ones. The rest, particularly every single undamaged example of a Greek tetradrachm, range from expensive to second-mortgage level expensive.

 

Thats true, was gonna add Greeks tets. are not cheap, but didn't.

 

Great coins all congratulations!!!!!!!

 

Ardatirion understates the situation. His employer regularly sells tetradrachms that cost more than any house I have ever owned. For that matter, several have gone for more than I paid total for the three houses I have owned to this date. The sad part is the most expensive coins are not ancient and the most expensive ancient coins are not tetradrachms.

 

OK, I'll bite, what are a couple of the most expensive ancient coins?

 

Not quite ancient, but there was a 1343 Edward III Florin that sold for 6.8 mil.

This decadrachm sold for $2,473,650

 

The first one I had heard of, but the second one is interesting.

 

Huh, another source says the Edward III Florin sold for $680,000. Not sure on that one.

 

If it's the double florin sold by Spink in 2006, it was 400000 GBP.

 

I once cataloged a tray that was worth more than any house in this county. There were only eight coins on it.

 

I love Akragas coins, but $2.5M for that coin seems like a poor buy

 

Yeah. I wouldn't have spent a penny over 2.

 

http://a-coins.blogspot.com/2011/10/most-expensive-roman-coin.html
This Hadrian sestertius is very nice but $2.5 million seems a bit over the top.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/...-coins-in-the-world-in-pictures.html?image=10