Compare, compare, compare prices. There can be large differences in prices for references...Make the most of your reference budget.
Thank you.
Bah humbug, just buy them.
I have never been very thrifty. But now it is impossible. When I find a reference I need, I buy immediatly. Most of what I need now is very hard to find. The
good news is
rare classical numismatic references generally increase in value. So, they are an investment.
Sear Byzantine really is quite
good. You may find a more specific
attribution in DO for a
legend or other variation, but almost all
types are adequately described (for all but the most specialized collectors) in
Sear. For the early empire it is about at the same level as the new multi-volume Sear's
Roman Coins and Their Values. For the late
Byzantine bronze it is a challenge to ID some coins with
Sear.
Off topic for this board but, Sear's Greek and
Greek Imperial refs are not nearly as useful. There are just so many more
types that a single or even two volume reference can only scratch the surface. Even the 29 volumes of
BMC, three volumes of
Lindgren, 9 volumes of
SNG Cop, 3 volumes of
Von Aulock plus
Sear (the basic references) don't cover them.
