Not sure what to start collecting

[James S2]

Hi everyone,

I'm a bit stuck on what theme I should focus on in collecting.  I thought possibly the emperors in the first century AD but would that be expensive with a small budget of £60-100 a month?  Do you reccommend that I should try buying a coin of every Emperor or start with Constantine.

On the subject of Provincial Roman Coins do all these coins show the Emperors of that period and what is the difference between those and Imperial coins? (Sorry if it's a stupid question!)

Thanks very much,
James

[*Alex]

Collecting themes are purely a personal choice. If you look at the Members' Gallery and you will see that there are many options for collecting themes.
Regarding Roman Provincials, yes, generally speaking these coins show the Emperors of any given period. The difference between Provincial and Imperial coins is that Provincials are local issues, not intended to circulate very far from the place that they were issued, whereas Imperial coinage could circulate virtually anywhere in the Empire. Also, since most of the Provincial Issues come from the eastern parts of the Empire you will find that the majority of the inscriptions are in Greek rather than Latin, although there are exceptions.
I hope that is of some help (and there are no stupid questions on this board, everyone has to learn).

Alex

[mauseus]

Hi,

This is a very difficult question and, I think, you have to look at why you want to start collecting ancient coins.

If one particular period attracts you then go for that; if a particular geographical area is of interest then let that suggest a theme.

Personally, I started collecting ancient coins at the age of 10 as I was interested in history and coins. I began by assembling a range of imperial portraits. Knowledge and understanding of ancient coins took me into specialising in the Gallic revolt of the mid third century and coins of the revolt of Carausius and Allectus.

Knowledge is a great asset and I wouldn't necessarily specialise too early. Avoid the "too good to be true" at first until you are experienced enough to be sure the coin is genuine. And don't be afraid to ask advice, I had a very good mentor in my early collecting years.

Your budget does not appear restricting per se, although some of the scarcer 1st century emperors (Galba, Vitellius and Otho will not be great specimens). I have to say though in the last five years I have managed to buy an identifiable (but part broken flan) Galba denarius (now sold) for £10.

Regards,

Mauseus

[James S2]

Thanks very much for your replies!  I will have a look at members galleries.

[Bill S]

Collect what appeals to you.  Themes will develop on their own.  If you buy something now that does not fit into the theme you eventually settle on, you can always sell it or trade it for something that does.

I guess it's just a reflection of my obstinate personality, but I collect things that  -I-  like, and am not very likely to ask other people to tell me what I should like.  Establishing arbitrary boundaries on my collections also seems to be pointless.  Some people like to collect with the idea of getting "the complete set", while I'm content with representative samples.  Some people like to choose one particular era or theme and stay within it, I'm more likely to work somewhat within a theme, but not feel restricted to it.  I also shift themes easily as time goes by.

Read up on any topics that catch your eye - I often find that the more I know about something, the more I appreciate it.  The stories and histories reflected in the coins are the real hooks for me - the coins are only token representations of people, things and events of long ago.  An individual coin in my collection might be common and not particularly attractive, but if it represents something that means something to me, then I enjoy it.

In the end - you are the person who will live with your collection, will look at it and will appreciate it most.  So why not just collect for your own tastes and appreciations?  Don't make it an obligation to fulfill someone else's idea of a collection - have fun with your own choices.

[Potator II]

I believe there is no standard theme for collecting. The theme you will chose will be yours, and nobody should tell you if it is right or not. And it might be an original approach of collecting that nobody had the idea of before you.

Welcome in the galaxy of ancients, and have fun

Potator

[David Atherton]

When I first started collecting Roman coins I based my area of specialization on history. I love the history of the late first century and as a child I remember reading Suetonius, pouring over an Atlas of first century Rome, and watching all those cheesy Hollywood Roman epics.

Picking an era (Flavian) that is historically interesting to me is very important. I have since fallen in love with the coinage of the era.

[Vitruvius]

One way in deciding what coins to collect is to figure out what interests you about ancient coins.  What about the Romans or Greeks inspires you?  Are you awestruck by their military?  Does any one emperor stand out as being the most influential?  I'm a civil engineer so naturally I'm attracted to individuals that "built" up the empire (Augustus, Agrippa, Hadrian, etc.).

This may help you decide what "inspires" you about ancient coins.

I hope this helps!

[basemetal]

I must say once again, your theme will find you.  You will one day decide, or even over a period of time, that this group, theme, whatever, appeals to you in a way that others do not.  I have coins of Valens scattered about my desk like confettii, but the large coins of Antininous Pius and Vespasian are carefully guarded treasures. 

[Cleisthenes]

I agree with the mettle of Basemetal's advice.  As he said in a previous post, "Your theme will find you."  You're in for the ride of your life once that (those) special coin(s) get(s) behind the wheel.  I think he's also right about being forced to choose between collecting modern coins and ancient coins.  There are beautiful modern coins, but if I were forced to collect modern coins or no coins at all, Pez dispensers is definitely a better option.  I think I'd start with cartoon characters.

Cleisthenes (Jim)  

[Vitruvius]

Everyone hear is certainly offering some great advice.  Dabble a little, buy a few coins and see what strikes you.  Perhaps buy some uncleans and journey down that fascinating part of the hobby.

I remember a year ago (uh oh, story time )I gazed upon my first attributable unclean.  It was only a common Valens, with a ragged flan.  That little coin sent me on a fun, exciting journey that has even introduced me to some very friendly, sincere hobbyists.  It's crazy to me that a little coin with a short lived emperor that rode the coattails of his brother could influence me so much.  I attached the photo of the coin, still my favorite even over my denarius!!

I hope you find this hobby to be educational, inspirational, satisfying and overall lots of fun!!  I look forward to talking with you on the boards...

[James S2]

Thanks very much for all the replies.  A couple of weeks ago I did buy some uncleaned but found nothing special (as I suspected) so I think I will leave dabbling uncleaneds as I prefer coins in good nick.  I have bought some coins from the Emperors Claudius II Gothicus through to Carinus .  I will quite possibly carry on with collecting these but am also considering possibly collecting Empresses as this will give me insight into coinage across the range of the Empire, from Empresses such as Sabina through to Eudocia. 
I am 16 years old and have had a love for the Ancient world since my uncle passed me a huge box of books from his Ancient History degree a three or four years ago (he sadly passed away on Thursday morning after a battle with cancer).  I am actually doing AS Levels in Ancient History and Latin myself and will be applying to read Classics next year.  In fact I went to a university open day at Warwick today and as one of their modules they offer Roman and Greek coinage which has attracted my eyes!
Once again thanks for the advice.
Best Wishes,
James

[David Atherton]

Glad to hear that you have plenty of research material about the classical world.

Knowing the context in which the coins were produced is vital to understanding the coins themselves!

[Buzzygirl]

I'm just starting to build a small collection of reference materials. It's always good to have the books.  As you read through those materials, you might find an emperor or a time period of the empire that really interests you over and above all the others. Or if you're like me, not. Seems that *every* era of the Roman empire is fascinating to me, so I haven't decided on any one particular emperor or time frame in which to focus my collection. But I don't stress out too much about that.

I've been collecting ancient coins for about a year and a half, and while I've been trying to get one example (from any mint or denomination) of each of the 12 Caesars, I have also been distracted by nice examples of late Roman antoninianii.

My collecting strategy may change as time goes on, but as of now, my only two rules are: 1) to collect what I like; and 2) to collect different emperors each time I buy a coin.

I try to obtain nice coins that have "eye appeal," and that aren't too expensive. I have about the same budget as you to work with (in terms of equivalent US dollars) and I can often find 2-3 very decent coins to purchase on my monthly ancient coin budget.

Have fun, that's what is most important!

[Jerome Holderman]

I can tell you that I work with a similar budget, and have a blast with it. Of course I do on occasion blow the budget, but when I do, I pay for it like I am at the moment by resisting temptation for a while, or by selling a few items . Have a look through my gallery, while it is certainly no showcase, I think I have managed to put together a pretty decent group of coins over the past..... 4 years I think it is, I have been at this.

Regards,
Jerome

[David Atherton]

Jerome,

You certainly have a very nice collection there! I have always admired it.
Keep up the good work.