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Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Classical Numismatics Books and References Discussion Forum => Topic started by: SC on April 11, 2021, 02:48:05 pm

Title: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: SC on April 11, 2021, 02:48:05 pm
Heads up to forum members.

My long term book project is finally coming to fruition. Spink has just finished typesetting "A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395".  It will soon go to printing in Malta.

It currently has a publication date of June 1 for UK booksellers and August 2 in North America.  I am not sure if that is a true difference or not as the UK date was recently moved up from August to June.

The book is hardcover, octavo-sized (216mm x 138mm), full colour, and approx. 346 pages.

The standard descriptive blurb is as follows:

Extensively illustrated, each entry includes details on dates, mints, personalities, weight standard, important variations, and the history and meaning of the legend and design. Detailed information about the late Roman bronze coinage system. Extensive introductory notes in Chapter One discuss the life-cycle of late Roman bronze coins (manufacture, circulation, loss and the effects of burial) as well as their weight, fineness standards and contemporary value.

The introductory sections of the subsequent chapters, each of which is dedicated to a short time period, cover the history of that period and the metrology (weight, size and metallic composition), overall pattern, and mint and field marks of the coinage of those years. First detailed examination of the coinage of this period by reverse design. By examining late Roman bronze coinage through the study of reverse types, this book provides different insights from those gained through an examination of the coinage by Mint (as found in The Roman Imperial Coinage series) or by emperor (as found in the Roman Coins and their Values series). Many major numismatic works covering this time period are out of date.

This Handbook incorporates the latest numismatic scholarship and includes extensive footnotes and bibliography. The easy to use (indexed and cross-referenced) catalogue entries will be of interest to collectors, cataloguers and researchers. The historical and metrological discussions will appeal to scholars, numismatists and students. A focus on reverse types provides scholars working with hoards or site finds with much greater insight into dates and other aspects of the coinage than simply identifying the emperor.

Publisher: Spink & Son Ltd
ISBN: 9781912667611

It is currently on the website of amazon and all major booksellers.

Shawn
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Heliodromus on April 11, 2021, 03:12:10 pm
Congratulations! That must have been a huge amount of work!

I'm curious about the process of publishing with Spink...

Who foots the up-front costs of publishing - you or Spink ? Do you start making royalties on 1st sale, or only after a certain number have sold ?

What there any choice of format: size, hard/soft cover, any limitations on number of color photos ?

Did you need to get permission to use any photos ? If so, how easy was that ?

DId Spink give you any ballpark expectations for sales volume ?

Ben
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: SC on April 11, 2021, 03:36:17 pm
Ben,

Thanks for the comments.

Spink does both types of publishing.  Mine is a standard book project.  I put no money in and get a small cut of after-cost profits.  Not a project I undertook to get rich.  But I know Spink has done some projects where they weren't interested themselves, but the author wanted to pay the costs.  For example, a couple of books by another author several years back on slightly obscure Canadian coinage.

Spink came up with the format (and cover) based on their interests.  This matches the size and hardcover of the Sear books, but unlike them is color interior so it is more like their Coins of England series.

I got permission to use photos from many dealers and auction houses.  I have been working on this project since 2009 and I think some dealers are no longer even active.  Most were happy as long as I gave them credit.  Mine has several hundred images and so the credit is not by photo but I list all sources in the from section. 

No idea of volume.

SC




Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Heliodromus on April 11, 2021, 03:49:26 pm
Interesting - thanks, Shawn.

Ben
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: wolfgang336 on April 11, 2021, 06:53:45 pm
I'll have to get a signed version, Shawn!  ;D

Congratulations on this accomplishment!
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: David Atherton on April 13, 2021, 06:01:35 pm
Congrats!
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Molinari on April 14, 2021, 10:35:13 am
Congratulations, Shawn!  I can't wait to get a copy.
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Simon on April 14, 2021, 11:37:27 am
Congratulations Shawn. I will be getting a copy.
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Mark Fox on April 14, 2021, 12:46:08 pm
Dear Shawn and Board,

Wow, this is amazing...  Was this a more or less undercover project or did you hint here before that you were undertaking something this gargantuan?  Huh.  I am deeply impressed!

It is nice to see so many long-term numismatic (or numismatic-related) projects either coming together or hot off the presses recently.  I have some that are just as old or older than yours, Shawn, but for most of them, I don't know when they will ever get done, considering how much attention and time is being sapped by other matters currently (including the endless farm work).  We'll see...

I have a mini collection of Gratian seated Roma bronzes that I started some years back, so your book is tempting to me right now.


Best regards,

Mark Fox
Michigan
      
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: SC on April 14, 2021, 01:07:11 pm
Thanks for the compliments guys.

The book began way back as my own compilation of notes on each coin type as no single source addressed the issues I was interested.  By 2009 already I had thought of doing it as a book.

I think several years ago (2016?), in one of our more chatty threads, I mentioned my new year's resolution was to complete the project.  I actually completed the book in early 2017.  One US publisher looked at it but wasn't interested in the end.

Instead of self-publishing I kept looking - slowly.  I was able to meet with Spink early last year and it was accepted about a year ago.  But it's place in the cue is just coming up now.  I have done minor updating to my '17 version.

SC
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Carausius on April 14, 2021, 03:52:02 pm
Congratulations, Shawn! 
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Anaximander on April 15, 2021, 07:20:34 am
Very impressive!  I look forward to getting a copy.
What do you do for an encore? A sequel, perhaps?

Cheers!
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: quadrans on April 15, 2021, 11:25:03 am
Hi Shawn,

Congratulation  +++

I'll see how I can get it ...

Regards

 Joe
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: akeady on April 17, 2021, 09:03:06 am
Congrats on a great achievement.

ATB,
Aidan.
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Stkp on April 17, 2021, 09:06:27 pm
That is quite an accomplishment, Shawn. Congratulations! I look forward to the release of the book. Stkp
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Ron C2 on April 17, 2021, 11:52:28 pm
Amazing achievement!  I can't wait to get my hands on one! :)
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Poemenius on May 14, 2021, 04:18:14 pm
Just ordered my copy
Alain from Italy
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: SC on May 15, 2021, 10:04:48 am
Wow.  Nice to know.

I just signed off on the printer's proof yesterday so hopefully they begin printing soon.  Due to be released in UK around June 1st.  They give a date of August 1st for North America to allow for shipping/stocking.

Shawn
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Molinari on May 15, 2021, 07:45:30 pm
Will you have signed copies to sell personally?
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: SC on May 16, 2021, 10:08:51 am
I wasn't planning too as that would add extra shipping steps for people.

SC
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Ron C2 on May 16, 2021, 10:16:27 am
I wasn't planning too as that would add extra shipping steps for people.

SC

Man... I'm gonna have to gallery my LRBs now so I can cite your reference.  Lol.
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: SC on May 16, 2021, 10:30:18 am
I don't actually provide any new numbering or attribution system.  There are enough around with RIC, LRBC, ERIC and Sear.  I focus on providing information about each type.

Shawn

Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: SC on June 28, 2021, 08:27:13 am
Update:

The book is currently available, at least out of Europe via Spink Books itself, and via Charles Davis Numismatic Books.

For North America amazon appears to be by far the best deal but the ship date is listed as early August.

I am still waiting for my own copy....

SC
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Virgil H on July 13, 2021, 11:08:49 pm
Just preordered and looking forward to it.
Virgil
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: SC on July 14, 2021, 07:35:50 am
Thanks.  I received my copies.  I am happy with the end product.

SC
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: PeterD on July 20, 2021, 06:29:13 am
I received my copy yesterday from Amazon UK. I look forward to reading it (I'm a slow reader!).
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Blayne W on July 29, 2021, 04:04:46 pm
Waiting for my copy-Amazon Canada pre-order but should be coming soon.
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: SC on July 30, 2021, 08:14:18 am
The release date in North America is August 9th.  That was to allow the books to be shipped from UK to the distributors.  That should mean that shipping will be quite quick after the 9th.

SC
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Ron C2 on July 30, 2021, 09:00:01 am
The release date in North America is August 9th.  That was to allow the books to be shipped from UK to the distributors.  That should mean that shipping will be quite quick after the 9th.

SC

Gotten any reviews of the book yet? Hopefully it is well received by all :)
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Molinari on July 30, 2021, 09:50:35 am
Just ordered!
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: SC on July 31, 2021, 04:40:19 pm
No formal reviews yet.

Spink said it did well and got favorable comments at the London Coin Fair.

SC
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Ron C2 on July 31, 2021, 04:52:28 pm
No formal reviews yet.

Spink said it did well and got favorable comments at the London Coin Fair.

SC

Well that sounds really promising then! I can't wait to give it a read myself.
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Pekka K on August 02, 2021, 05:03:24 am
I reread the book, and found Table of Contents needing
this Appendix:

 Appendix to table of contents

Weight and fineness chart    46
Mint and field marks ch.2    58
Mint and field marks ch.3    94
Mint and field marks ch.4   135
Denominations         155
Mint and field marks ch.5a   168
Mint and field marks ch.5b   195
Mint and field marks ch.6   221
Mint and field marks ch.7   246
Mint and field marks ch.8   263
Mint and field marks ch.9   299

Pekka K
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: SC on August 02, 2021, 01:14:36 pm
Thanks Pekka.  Good idea.

It was just reviewed in German by Manfred Freund, in Müzenrevue 9/2021.

Sort but positive.

SC
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Ron C2 on August 02, 2021, 01:26:07 pm
Thanks Pekka.  Good idea.

It was just reviewed in German by Manfred Freund, in Müzenrevue 9/2021.

Sort but positive.

SC

Did it get printed in more than one language?
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: SC on August 03, 2021, 08:07:58 am
Just German.  But with google and my German it was easy to understand.

SC
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Ron C2 on August 03, 2021, 09:10:15 am
Just German.  But with google and my German it was easy to understand.

SC

No, I meant if your book was published in multiple languages?
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: SC on August 03, 2021, 04:57:46 pm
Oh. 

No. 

Just my attempt at English.

SC
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Virgil H on August 15, 2021, 11:05:24 pm
I pre-ordered this on the US Amazon site and just checked my order because it should have arrived based on the original release date. It seems like release date has been pushed out until the end of October. Anyone know if it is available in the US prior to this new October date? I can wait, but I would also cancel Amazon and order from somewhere else if I could get it faster.

Thanks,
Virgil
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: SC on August 16, 2021, 04:55:48 pm
Delays with the North American distributer apparently.  Not sure why such a late date though.

It is already available in North America through Charles Davis books and direct from Spink in London.

Amazon is cheaper, but I suspect that is related to their business model and thus the delays.

SC
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Kevin D on August 17, 2021, 11:12:21 am
My experience is that Charles Davis does a good job in packaging books for shipping, while Amazon does not.
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Virgil H on August 17, 2021, 10:47:17 pm
Thanks for the info, I would always rather do business with a company other than Amazon, so will check out Charles Davis.

Virgil
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Poemenius on August 24, 2021, 06:45:28 am
I received my copy  +++
Alain - Italy
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Scribonius Probus on January 10, 2022, 06:49:26 pm
Heads up everyone.  Shawn's book is now in stock with Amazon ( 4 copies it says today ).
I received my copy today from Amazon.ca via the Avenel New Jersey warehouse.

Some of you may have been waiting to order until it actually showed up in stock, so.....

BTW.... why does British publishers insist on using such small fonts?  So hard on my old eyes.....

Gary
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Virgil H on January 10, 2022, 09:02:21 pm
I finally gave up on Amazon and got it a couple months ago from a numismatic bookseller. in the US. I should have given them the business from the start. I didn't appreciate how Amazon played around with how they listed this book and have seen them lie on other recently published books, most of which had nothing to do with coins. And they were lying for a few months on this one. I have stopped buying anything through Amazon unless there is no other option for a number of reasons that include lying about their stock, but it goes far beyond that. It is a great book, but I do agree on the British coin publishers and their quirks that seem to be widespread in various ways in coin topic publishing. Copy editing seems to be lacking in coin collecting books, for example. Not a huge deal, but I notice typos having been an editor in the past. I need to do a real review on Shawn's book, it truly is a great book and highly recommended for anyone interested in late Roman coins.

Virgil
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Molinari on January 11, 2022, 07:17:27 am
We'd be happy to publish your review in Koinon.

Nick
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: SC on January 11, 2022, 07:47:44 am
Gary.  The font is hard on my eyes too - and I chose it.  Though it does match the Sear's books.

Sadly, the only other option, with a normal font size, was to have a book the size of RICII.3 (Hadrian) with the resultant price being over double what it currently is.

SC


Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Ron C2 on January 11, 2022, 10:07:49 am
I haven't got a copy yet. What is the font size? 10?
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Joe Sermarini on January 11, 2022, 10:24:34 am
Congratulations Shawn.  I will have to buy one!
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: SC on January 11, 2022, 04:56:33 pm
Thanks Joe. 

And yes, Ron it is 10.

SC
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Blayne W on January 11, 2022, 10:53:28 pm
Just got mine today, looking forward to reading it.
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Molinari on January 13, 2022, 05:49:34 pm
Finally got my copy today (you’ll see my initial order was announced above in JULY coming from Amazon!).

It looks great, Shawn.  Well done!!!

Have you entered the postpartum phase?
Title: Re: New Book: A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types, 324 - 395, Spink.
Post by: Virgil H on January 18, 2022, 05:44:57 pm
Hi Nick,
If this was addressed to me and I think it was, I just sent you a PM. I mention it here because I don't always know when I get a PM.

Regards,
Virgil

We'd be happy to publish your review in Koinon.

Nick