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Author Topic: Specialized Collections  (Read 1028 times)

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Offline Virgil H

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Specialized Collections
« on: February 12, 2023, 02:08:02 am »
I am not sure how to ask this. It applies across collecting areas. But, the question is, how do you that specialize define your specializations?

Like, one paricular emperor? One particular city? One particular mint? I have a couple of collecting niches that I think are niches of sorts. I see people here who have some very interesting specialties. Just curious on this. I am way too wide ranged and I worry about that, but I am interested in everything. Yet, I do have a couple of areas I tend to go deeper. I am wondering if maybe I should do this more as I progress.

Just curious how different people approach this.

Virgil

Offline shanxi

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2023, 05:36:20 am »
It depends on whether you are interested in a small or large area of specialization. If you do not specialize in a large area (e.g. Gordian III, the Flavians or Greek coins from Asia Minor) then you will quickly reach a point where new coins rarely appear in auctions, e.g. in my case coins from Hierocaesarea or denarii from Faustina II. Therefore, one will also look beyond the end of one's nose and perhaps add a small area of specialization in parallel.

Offline Curtis JJ

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2023, 10:45:18 am »
I'm also someone who likes everything, which competes with any impulse to specialize.

I imagine my collection(s) in three parts: (1) old collections & published coins; (2) Roman coins portraying barbarians, captives, and enemies; and (3) "everything," or as you might say in German, my Universalsammlung (which includes many Spezialsammlungen). (I only speak numismatic German...kinda.)

The nice thing about the first (old collections & plate coins) is that I get to learn what others found important enough to specialize in. For each coin, I try to figure out why they wanted it, how it fit into their specialty, and what they appreciated about and contributed to that specialty.

Just a few interesting examples off the top of my list of "specialized collections represented in my collection" (some had multiple specialized collections, most also had broader collections as well):

Thematic: Jay M. Galst (1950-2020): Ophthalmological; Virginia Ruzicka (1915-1984): Ancient Women; J. Falm (?): Greek Animals; Dieter Klein (1931 [?]): Small Greek; Axel Winzer (1935-): Persian Portraits;
Single Reign or Dynasty Collectors: Philippe Gysen (1950-2019): Coins of Probus; George His (1927-2021): Gordian III; Jyrki Muona (c. 1952-): Otho; Bill Behnen (1943 [?]): Trajan Decius;
Single Mint: Paul DiMarzio (1962-): Roman London; Lee Toone (1958-): Roman London; "Maleatas Collection": Epidauros; Giovanni Dattari (1858-1923): Egypt, Alexandria; Rhakotis Collection (formed 1960s-1970s): Egypt, Alexandria; Kerry K. Wetterstrom (1960-): Egypt, Alexandria;
Denominational-Regional: Tom Virzi (1881-1974): Sicily/Italy Bronze; RK Morcom (1877-1961)/Christopher Morcom (1939-): Greek Bronze; Henry Clay Lindgren (1914-2005): Greek & RPC Bronze; Stephen Corn (1942-2018): New Style Athens Tetradrachms;
Regional: Josef Samel (1913–2005): Judaean; Hermann Lanz (1910-1998): Eastern Celts; Erich Karl (1924-2009): Caria; Edoardo Levante (1932-2007): Cilicia; Gonzalo Cores Uria (formed 1952-): Iberia; W.P. Wallace (1907-1965): Euboia;

I could keep going, but those are a few recurring themes... And, of course, many broader collections (the most heavily represented in my collection is "BCD Collection" -- made easier by the massive size of his collection(s) -- over 90 coins broken into sub-collections for multiple regions of mainland Greece, and a bunch of ex-BCD Library literature, as well as BCD print catalogs).

Edit to add: My most specialized sub-collection of "tributaries of the BCD Collection" -- coins from collections inspired by, and/or consisting of multiple ex-BCD coins (in approximate order of influence): Maleatas; J. Cohen;  "Man in Love with Art" / Al-Thani (1966-2014); B. Traeger; J. Gilman; P.J. Merani (1936-2020); F. Jarman (1948-); and many publications. I.e., my collection of collections of the BCD Collection (preferably of yet earlier collections). (One ultimate collecting goal/fantasy is to convince the ANS to trade me one of their duplicate ex-BCD coins for something from my collection! I have ex-ANS-ex-Huntington coins, nothing ex-ANS-ex-BCD.)
“Collect the collectors…” John W Adams’ advice to J Orosz (Asylum 38, 2: p51)

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Offline mauseus

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2023, 01:03:01 pm »
Hi,

I have a general ancient collection, which is how I cut my teeth understanding ancient coins. I've since formed a number of specialised collections, some of which are well represented in my galleries on here. In order of importance to me, although 2 and 3 quite often swap over......

1. Carausius and Allectus
2. As a pendant I have a lesser collection of the continuation of London mint
3. Gallic Empire that led to my post graduate research at Durham supervised by the late John Casey
4. The broader impacts ofthe capture of Valerian and the subsequent revolts of 260 and its implications, including a collection of local radiate imitations
5. Archaic and classical Greek silver fractions, collection now paused as the dedicated cabinet is full

A mix of reign, history and economic themes that interest me.

Regards,

Mauseus

Offline Virgil H

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2023, 07:30:48 pm »
Thanks Mauseus, Curtis, and Shanxi, those are all great responses and exactly what I was hoping for. I started out interested in Alexander the Great and Greek coins from what is now Turkey. I got away from any specialization with Alex the Great because of both cost and redundancy of the coinage. I discovered Phillip II and have started trying to collect the bronze naked horsemen coins. I also discovered Elymais and that is my main specialization on a one coin at least from each ruler basis. I have realized that the Turkish mints thing is way too wide, but I semi specialize in Pontos and Paphlagonia and have a serious interest in Ephesus, Pergamon, and Aizanoi. I have coins from all over today's Turkey, but this is far too wide an interest. Being basically interested in anything can be an issue, but I will live with it. LOL. Anyway, thanks again for your comments.

Virgil

Online Victor C

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2023, 10:57:01 pm »
I specialize in Constantinian coinage, but really start with Tetrarchy stuff and end in late 4th 5th century.

My first focus is the secret coded coins of Diocletian and Maximianus from Siscia

 http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/CONSERVATOR/

my next is Tetrarchic coinage from Carthage

http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/Carthage/

next is an usurper in Alexandria

https://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/Alexandria/

I have a lot of London coins of the Tetrarchy, but mainly focus on Constantine.

http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/London/

I am also interested in VLPP from Siscia

http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/sis/

Constantinople issues for Constantine I are also an area I enjoy

http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/Constantinople/

I end with Ostrogoth and Vandal issues

http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/Germans/

of course, I have many coins that don't fit into these categories.  ;D

Victor Clark

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Offline Tracy Aiello

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2023, 09:11:03 pm »
Hi Virgil,

Great question. I started out with the coinage of Aurelian because of my interest in the history of the time period and Aurelian’s accomplishments, which in turn led into an even stronger interest in the Palmyrene Empire. That accounts for what I like to refer to as my Whitman Folder of Aurelian and Vabalathus, in my gallery. I then settled upon a really specialized theme that spoke directly to the history of this time period that fascinated me: the coinage of Aurelian that, in the opinion of Sylviane Estiot in her Monnaies de L'Empire romain XII.1/XII.2: D'Aurelian à Florien, directly references the Palmyrene Empire in terms of the threats that it posed to Rome, the movement of Aurelian's troops towards Palmyra, the victories over it that Aurelian accomplished, etc. Alas, after doing some translating I surmised that at first blush it appears to me that many of the coins fitting this theme are quite rare, and thus will not be easily falling into my hands (not to mention the budgetary issues). Therefore, I discarded this specialization.

I guess it could be said that I specialize in the coinage of the Thessalian city of Larissa, simply because I have 29 coins in that collecting area (more than any of my other areas) and focus my buying almost exclusively in that area, especially fractionals. Now here it wasn’t history that attracted me, it was the beauty and diversity of the facing head drachms. That attraction quickly morphed into a love of the Larissian fractional in all of its myriad types and styles. I am simply amazed at what can be done on such a small flan.

Finally I have another area in which I intend to specialize but have yet to really focus on: the coinage of the Sasanian King of Kings Khusro II: the crown change and typology changes between his first and second reigns and the typology changes that occur in 601 AD and beyond. Tied to this is a keen interest in the coinage of two Sasanian usurpers that threatened the reign of Khusro II: his maternal uncle (as the brother-in-law of his father, Ohrmazd IV), Wistahm and the brilliant general Wahrām Chobin, know as Wahrām VI. I have to admit that it is a fascination with the history of the Sasanian empire that draws my interest to its coinage, despite the fact that in general the coinage of the Sasanian kings did not change to reflect tumultuous times or advertise accomplishments.

However, a quick glance at my gallery will also show my interest in Sextus Pompey as well as other coins that simply caught my eye.

All the best,

Tracy

Offline Ron C2

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #7 on: February 13, 2023, 09:34:13 pm »
Well, my 8nterests are largely captured in my gallery themes, but foremost I collect septimius Severus denarii from all mints.  Only denarii though, no bronzes or provincials. Only because you have to draw the line somewhere on ling-reigning emperors or things can get out of hand.

I also collect other several era denarii, third century crisis silver, silver of the kings of Cappadocia and select late Roman and byzantine gold coins (when I can afford them).

No real rhyme or reason to my side interest, they are just themes I got interested through reading or just liking the coins.

The septimius interest began with my first coin of his, an indulgentia in Carthage issue with a fabulous portrait.
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Online Bill W4

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #8 on: February 14, 2023, 07:30:25 pm »
Well I suppose I started as many have.  Uncleaned coins until I realized I should spend my money on coins I wanted rather than more ConstantiusII fel temps.  Then I went for one of each emperor till I was priced out of that.  Next was Gordian III because they were nice and inexpensive but after awhile they became too costly.  Small Greek coins prior to 300bc then caught my interest and still do.  Lately I've been hunting Roman republic denarius in my modest price range; which is tricky.  And I do always like any Augustus.  Guess I'm sort of all over the place within reason.
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Offline Virgil H

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #9 on: February 14, 2023, 09:15:55 pm »
Thanks for those responses Bill, Ron, Victor, and Tracy,

All these responses are really interesting. All of us have different interests, but I see lots of similarities in approach. Budget is one of them for me for sure, it is what got me into Elymais. Then I learned more about both the history and the coinage and got hooked. It is only recently that I got into Roman Republicans and found out they were worth the extra price, but I won't be getting many. That is fine. Anyway, as you all already know, I am also attracted by history of a place and places I have been. And I will get any coin with a dog on it. LOL

Virgil

Offline Lerian

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #10 on: February 15, 2023, 03:27:12 am »
Does anyone have more information about George His (1927-2021) and his Gordian III collection. Was there an auction catalogue which might be useful as a reference?

Offline Pekka K

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #11 on: February 15, 2023, 03:49:19 am »

Maybe this helps: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=434062

says: ex Triton V, 2002, George His Collection, lot 2073.

Pekka K

Offline Altamura

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #12 on: February 15, 2023, 05:07:40 am »
... Was there an auction catalogue which might be useful as a reference? ...
The coins seem to have been sold in four auctions, see here: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Important%20Collection%20Auctions  (look for "His, George")
These auctions at least can be found in acsearch.info, I didn't find the catalogue as pdf in the web :-\.

Regards

Altamura

Offline Curtis JJ

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #13 on: February 15, 2023, 11:18:16 am »
Does anyone have more information about George His (1927-2021) and his Gordian III collection. Was there an auction catalogue which might be useful as a reference?

Sorry everybody for the information dump, but here goes:

George His = George Noel His (San Antonio, TX; 1927-2021)

[Just so I'm not totally devoid of coins, here's another ex-G.H. Sestertius (from a Triton VI group lot), and the one I've showed before]

CNG 69 photo (also used on Wildwinds), from a sale of his Roman Imperials generally:


BIOGRAPHICAL
British Museum Bio: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG171928

Died 12 April 2021, obituary published 25 April by San Antonio Express-News [reproduced by MYSA (My San Antonio) / Legacy.com [LINK])], summary/excerpts:
Family background: parents professionals in the arts, grandfather a Congressman & pastor to John D. Rockefeller. Geologist and mineral collector since age 9. Frequent traveler:
Quote
“all over Mexico, Europe, Russia and other countries. And through the years, his good friend, Daniel Kruger, and George developed an interest in researching and collecting ancient coins. They traveled together to numismatic conventions throughout the United States.”
“…on the Board of the San Antonio Museum Assoc., … Vice Chairman of the Board of the San Antonio Art Institute, Treasurer and later President of the South Texas Geological Society, a Fellow of the Royal Numismatic Society in London, England, and other organizations.” [my emphasis]


COLLECTION / PUBLICATION & DISPOSITION
His collection was important to published studies of Gordian III, but never appeared all together in one sale or publication. It was broken up in a few CNG sales (some electronic records don't mention his name because they were standalone sections of ex-G.H. under one heading, such as CNG 69, Lots 1375-1501 [the pdf is NOT available online, unfortunately], but if you search cng's archive for "George His Collection" they will still appear in results there, not in ACSearch).

At least five major sales (annotated/cited in WW Esty Catalogs [LINK], Forum Important Sales [LINK], Classical Economies Sale Catalogs), possibly in addition to some smaller offerings:
CNG Triton V (16 January 2002): (Esty: “including 23 rare Gordian III from the George His collection”);
CNG MBS 60 (22 May 2002): George His Collection of Gordian III (Esty: “Gordian III (29)”);
Triton VI (14 Jan 2003): George His Collection of Gordian III;
CNG MBS 69 (8 July 2005): George His collection (Lots 1375-1501, Sestertii & Group Lots), “126 RI AE (the George His collection)” [WW Esty Catalogs corr. (date)];
Gemini IV (8 Jan 2008): [at least some, if not all, ex-CNG or Triton] (WW Esty Catalogs: “including 31 lots of Gordian III ex George His collection”);

American Numismatic Society: Donated coins to ANS collection, including several Sestertii, but not named in MANTIS. (Reportedly also incl. these two denarii, per CNG records: ANS 1998.8.1 [LINK], ANS 1998.8.2 [LINK] (both also cited in Michaux [2017: p. 17, nos. 5a, 6a]).)

I have not been able to check Michaux's book on Gordian III yet, but many of his coins are included. Multiple of his coins noted in Michaux’s (2017) BCEN article on Gordian III denarii (at least 4: 4a, 5a [now ANS 1998.8.1], 6a [now ANS 1998.8.2], 10b) [LINK]. Many of his coins appear on the Wildwinds Gordian III page and elsewhere.


ET CETERA
Posted advertisements to various periodicals seeking rare Gordian III's.
World Coin News (25 Aug 1987, p 62): “GOT ANY rare Gordian III Imperial silver or bronze? Collector wants to purchase them. Contact: George His […]”
Posted ads to The Celator, such as: “BOOK WANTED, Specialist Collector would like to purchase copy of Monnaies Coloniales D’Antioche De Pisidie by Aleksandra Krzyzanowska, Warsaw 1970. Write or phone: George His, [REDACTED] Milam Bldg., San Antonio, Texas 78205 -(210) 472-[REDACTED]” (Feb 2000, 14 (2), p. 60 & March 2002, 16 (3), p. 60, same ad).
Letters to The Celator: Sept 1992, 6 (9), p. 42; Dec 1998, 12 (12), p. 4 (sounding cantankerous complaining about phone v. mail bidding!); WSG said of G. His, “Now that’s a man of action!” (Apr 1992, 6 (4), p. 2) for bringing a new subscriber to pay in cash at the ANA Mid-Winter COINvention in Dallas.
“Collect the collectors…” John W Adams’ advice to J Orosz (Asylum 38, 2: p51)

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Offline Lerian

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #14 on: February 17, 2023, 06:05:21 am »
Than you everyone. At least two catalogues maybe worth a look at in the future. But a great shame his collection wasn't published in full. A lesson for members I think.

Offline Ron C2

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #15 on: February 19, 2023, 02:13:52 am »
Than you everyone. At least two catalogues maybe worth a look at in the future. But a great shame his collection wasn't published in full. A lesson for members I think.

I think most collectors would not know how to go about publishing their collections, apart from something like a gallery here on forum. Also, most collectors would have some hurdles to overcome.... First is your collection noteworthy enough to merit publication? Not all collectors would think so, even if peers felt differently. Secondly, most collectors feel they are missing key pieces and never get to the stage of completeness where they feel publishing has merit at that moment in time.

If anyone has good thoughts on how and when to publish, I'd be all ears :)
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Offline Virgil H

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #16 on: February 19, 2023, 02:44:16 am »
I think the Forum gallery is a great way, but if you wanted print, there are print on demand options. Been a while since I did it, but options have gotten even better, probably Amazon these days for any book you want to sell. There are a number of authors who self publish with Amazon and make some kind of living with novels and nonfiction. Ebooks and hard copies done with print on demand. There is a hurdle there, of course, but it is more learning how to format and prepare for printing. Not to mention marketing. It depends on why you want it. Like, do you want to sell it and make money. Is it for you and your family and friends. I suppose if you wanted to sell it, it would depend on the collection and all that and require super due diligence. Plus great photography, layout, etc. All of this is doable and not even very expensive. I think the biggest thing is, as you say, how notable is your collection. I think it would be fun to actually have a printed book of mine, but I have very few coins that anyone would care about outside of me. Plus, it would be outdated every month. That doesn't necessarily matter with print on demand as you can update often, but then all previous editions are then outdated. This always has to be an issue with collection type books. For me, my spreadsheet and Forum Gallery is sufficient. But, this can be done more easily than ever before. I will buy one of yours if you publish it!

Virgil

Offline SC

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #17 on: February 22, 2023, 08:09:56 pm »
I have used Lulu for very inexpensive print on demand and got good results. 

You can do soft cover, hard cover, B&W, colour, different paper qualities.

It generally takes a PDF format doc.  Not sure if you could convert your forum gallery to PDF but that would be a very cool option.

SC
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Offline Ron C2

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #18 on: February 23, 2023, 10:02:42 am »
Come to think of it, it's not a bad idea to "publish" a collection once you are happy with a particular area, though I don't know how many people would want a copy of most collections, perhaps if they are very specialized in one area a few people may be interested? 

Most of us are not dunbarton-oaks.
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Offline Curtis JJ

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #19 on: February 23, 2023, 02:42:29 pm »
Come to think of it, it's not a bad idea to "publish" a collection once you are happy with a particular area, though I don't know how many people would want a copy of most collections, perhaps if they are very specialized in one area a few people may be interested?
I might! Here's how I see it: Collections are creative products, pieces of literature – even the small and modest ones. They have value insofar as the authors (i.e., their collectors and/or catalogers) have something unique and interesting to show with their coins or to say about them.

I’ve perused, bookmarked, and even annotated many of the member galleries on Forum, and keep a list of every ancient coin collection site/blog I can find. Whether printing them is worthwhile (and which) is a different question. But, from my perspective, it’s worthwhile to catalog and preserve them in some form. (Sometimes ACSearch can handle it, but auctions usually aren’t cataloged by collectors, which can be good or bad.)

A hundred or even 40 years ago, the “plates” were the important part. Now that we have easy, free access to countless high-quality photos of beautiful and rare coins, the context and commentary are what give value to a collection catalog (or blog or digital album).

If they’ve specialized in some area, I’m interested in why a collector chose each coin, which they think deserve extra attention, how they “see” their topic, and what they think others have missed. If I share their interest, the photos may be “enough.” As a “Fallen Horseman” enthusiast, I never tire of looking at others’ collections of them. I could name at least half a dozen FH and FEL TEMP collections among people who are currently active here and in other coin forums.

Sometimes it’s their unique set of personal experiences and perspective. Beyond his Septimius Severus collection, Doug Smith has a broad collection of moderately priced ancients, with lots of very interesting things to say about them. Sometimes it’s something like the collector tags – there are at least three collections here on Forum that I refer to for their images and/or transcriptions of collector tags. (That’s not the only thing I like about them, just one.)

Would I buy hardcover books about these collections? For most, probably not. But I would download the PDFs and refer to them.

And I’ve bought (or am actively trying to find) lots of hard copy catalogs of slightly older private collections, sometimes auction catalogs, sometimes free-standing monographs. Some consist, at least in large part, of coins that are reasonably modest: Dieter Klein, Axel Winzer, Henry Clay Lindgren, J. FALM, The Aurelia Collection, Christopher Morcom, and on and on and on (e.g., my comment above).
“Collect the collectors…” John W Adams’ advice to J Orosz (Asylum 38, 2: p51)

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Offline Blindado

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #20 on: February 23, 2023, 07:43:03 pm »
I started collecting while posted in Yugoslavia (which had no legal constraints on exporting ancient coins), and the supply included coins in my collection from the 12 Caesars to Honorius, and plenty in between. I also bought a Julius Caesar from a reputable US dealer while overseas. The span convinced me I should collect "all the emperors" from Caesar to the fall of Rome in 410. Once I realized how many pretenders existed, I redefined my goal to everyone who actually ruled in Rome, though I've also collected coins from failed pretenders and the breakaway empires. I was lucky enough in finding affordable coins that my collection now spans from the first triumvirate to the fall of Rome. (Rulers in Rome: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=1107)

Along the way, however, I added some more specialized sub-collections just because I found them intriguing, including: Historical Highlights (https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=5012), the marriage of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina Junior (https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=5080), and coins depicting the Scythian warrior horsewomen who gave rise to the notion of Amazons (https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=6690). So, basically, I followed my interest and my budget. The most expensive coin I own by a factor of two cost $1,200. Probably half of them cost less than $5.00 back in Yugoslavia.

Offline Tracy Aiello

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #21 on: February 23, 2023, 07:47:21 pm »
Blindado,

I really like the themes into which you've organized your gallery, especially the Historical Highlights.

All the best,

Tracy

Offline Blindado

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #22 on: February 23, 2023, 07:59:34 pm »
Thank you, Tracy!

Offline Virgil H

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #23 on: February 23, 2023, 08:53:10 pm »
I agree with Tracy. Very nice coins and the gallery organization is really good. I like your themes, all of them are interesting.

Virgil

Offline Tacitus

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Re: Specialized Collections
« Reply #24 on: March 09, 2023, 06:43:58 pm »
Just collect something that interests you!
Could Camp Gates, Animals, Empresses, a single emperor, or anything really.

I personally have a couple hundred coins spanning 4 centuries.  However, 50 of them are a single emperor, that I specialize in. 

 

All coins are guaranteed for eternity