Numism > Help For the New Ancient Coin Collector
Collection Strategies for the New Collector
Lucas H:
--- Quote ---To be quite honest, I have had my eye on an Augustus Ar denari for the last week or so. It's a coin that is really in the wrong price range compared to what I should buy, but Augustus is Augustus. It would also be the crown in a twelve caesar collection, as a side collection to what I decide to focus on.
--- End quote ---
Collect what you like. Some of the denarii of Augustus are very nice and scarce, but due to the length of his reign, overall, there are lots out there. In the 12 Caesars, Caligula and Claudius can be most challenging however if you want denarii.
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=58445.0
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=72226.0
Paddy:
About themes for collecting, Sears lists some of the possible themes for collecting:
* Portrait gallery - as many different emperors and empresses as possible
* Illustrating the many personifications, gods and godesses which appear on the coinage
* Arrangement of collection according to mints
* Arrangement by dates (this one he says is very much neglected)
To this list we can we can add
* Legionary denari
* Twelve Caesars
I think it's easier for a beginner to understand what options there are if they get a shorter more concise overview like this to start out with. Please feel free to add to the list.
Someone also mentioned that if you specialise, be aware that some of the rarest coins might be out of your price range. I think this is a valid consideration that should be taken into account before deciding.
areich:
No need to make a new list. Here's one, created with input from forum members:
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?vpar=1467&pos=0#Collecting Themes
Daniel R5:
When I began with ancients there was no strategy. I was accustomed to 19th century U.S. material so how could I possibly have a strategy in an area of numismatics where there were few straight lines? So at first I dabbled. A few early Greek, couple of Roman Republics, a few late Romans..but never could I stomach that awful looking Byzantine material! So I thought.
Today, a few years later, I have sent all but a few of my late Roman material back to Forum and the credit used for two main collections with their sub groups of my definition. I picked up John Julius Norwich's "A Short History of Byzantium" and could not put it down. Once I finished, I began looking at Byzantine coins in a whole new light. So my main collection became Byzantine material, of which I prefer gold and silver issues. Of course there are many bronze issues in the collection as well. I wanted to show the story of the evolution and tragic decay of the Byzantines through their coinage--which is not that difficult. So I continue on this course today, albeit slowly. I probably have about 30 or more books about Byzantium on my shelf now in addition to Byzantine related numismatic books.
The second collection is Jewish and Biblical timeline material. Christians owe their heritage to the Jews and these bronze issues have veered me into a bit of Biblical archaeological studies as well (more books...). The numismatic subgroups I have developed are: Jewish issues, Coins of the travels of Paul, Coins in general circulation in the Holy Land during and after the time of Christ, coins from the towns of the churches of Revelations. In other words I have put ancient coins into a Biblical context.
Overall I am very satisfied with my progress and discipline to set up my own themes to organize a collection of ancients. So the takeaway here is that the new collector can and should buy what they like and not worry too much about a strict protocol. You will develop your own direction over time and with additional study. The key is to feel free to buy, study, learn, and grow in the rich fabric that is ancient numismatics.
DR
djmacdo:
I seldom disagree with Curtis Clay, but here I must. For some of us at least, the motives of collecting are far different than he suggests. For me, it is clearly compulsive, a way of burning off excessive needs to organize and systematize that would otherwise hamper daily activities. I also find collecting fascinating, a chance to learn something new about the past. I think there are virtually as many forms of collecting as there are collectors. Some for high art, others for condition, some fascinated by particular themes such a Biblical related coins, or particular eras such as the Flavian emperors or the house of Constantine. One could list many specialties, and it seems to me so much variation cannot be all be explained by just two or even a short list of motivations.
As for new collectors, each will evolve, just as we older collectors have, before finally finding the niche which best fits. One piece of advice. For a few dollars one can buy a cd containing thousands of dollars worth of books and the great catalogues such as the British Museum, McClean, and others. Get, read, look at the pictures--greatest education in ancient coins available and available for virtually nothing.
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