In
Numismatics some consider the fall of the
Roman Empire the end of the Ancient period and therefore beginning of the
Medieval period. The fall of
Constantinople to the Ottomans is considered the end of the
Medieval period.
But there are so many different opinions about it.
To indirectly quote Fawzan Barrage (moderator of the
Islamic Coins Group and the
Medieval Coins Group), who said that each religion or region goes through their own periods, is one that I personally favour as well. Which would mean that the rise of Islam with the Umayyad Empire may be the
medieval period for
Christian Empires but the Ancient period for
Islamic empires and so on. You get the picture.
However on
ebay and on other sales sites
Crusader (although
Crusader coins are within the Mevieval period, they are
still a whole different category on their own) coins are also considered
Medieval coins and even coins from the 17th and 18th century are considered
Medieval coins.
I personally draw the line at the point where coins started to be machine struck and were not hammered anymore. This is where generally the line is drawn between "
Ancient Coins" and "World Coins" at
www.coinarchives.com and on a big venue site where Forumancientcoins is also a member.
So as a general guidance it would be 1453AD when the Ottomans conquered
Constantinople. Thats the line between
Medieval and Modern period. The fall of the
Roman Empire around 480AD is the end of the Ancient Period.
But important is what you think, because it is your
collection. The
good thing about your
collection is that you are the boss.
Best wishes,
Burak