Strategy Coming Into Focus (Need Advice Though)

Might I also suggest coins of Medieval Europe. Many of them have Christian themes or were issued by Christian kings. These coins are largely ignored by the collecting community for the Greek and Roman coins, and I have been able to find many nice examples for cheap. I purchased a Medieval France hammered coin for 20 cents recently with a cross motif. I picked a Spanish medieval coin I have not yet identified out of a junk bin for 4 dollars. For about 10 bucks I got a Medieval Hungary coin with a picture of Madonna and child. There is also a large number of Byzantine coins available at affordable prices.

I recall there being a book that was titled something like "Numismatics and the Travels of St. Paul" maybe 5-8 years ago. Definitely some theology ties there...........

Paul (no relation to St. Paul)

@Manning 19

I can relate to the kind of casting for rationale you are going through, because I am coming into retirement after a career as a minister and sometime theology professor myself. Although I am new to this list, I have been collecting ancients since 1982, and I think I can relate to the kinds of questions you will have to deal with. Part of me struggles to answer, since I have never introduced myself in this forum. But if we set that aside for a moment, then let me focus on the questions you are raising or are likely to raise as you pursue your focus.

If I may ask, what is your theology specialty?

Mine is Biblical Studies with a focus on Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. Not too much numismatics in that if we stick to things before 500 BC. But as we move into the period of the second Jewish temple (the intertestamental period) then things liven up considerably. And if we extend to the early history of Christianity, through the fourth century AD, then the topic explodes.

The connections with Biblical Studies are so easy as to be transparent. Systematic Theology is more of a challenge. Contemporary Missiology is way removed, as are Pastoral Care and other modern disciplines. Church history, on the other hand, has numismatic touch points at every step of its progression.

So, if you are willing, as one newbie in the group to another, could you tell us a bit about how you approach your academic discipline?

Have you considered doing a specialty that could influence what you bring into the classroom?

Long time no see, Warren. (the illustrious math prof from Arizona, as I recall)

Your site reminds me of the old days on Moneta, and the rush of buying on ebay before Vcoins during the Balkan explosion.

Thanks for al the great replies...please feel free to continue to add insight and advice!

@lrbguy

I currently don't have a theological "specialty." I will be moving to Uganda to teach and train pastors in a school over there, so I will be teaching a little of everything.

As far as my personal interests, I love systematics and then early Church history. I am eyeing a number of coins and will probably be making my first few purchases soon. Currently, I am going to try and acquire some assortment of these, based on prices and how a few auctions turn out:

-Augustus
-Tiberius
-Tyrian Shekel

-Nero
-Domitian
-Decius
-Diocletian

-Constantine the Great
-A few of the coins that have Christian symbols

The 1st two obviously are worthy because they lived during the time of Christ. The 4 middle were persecutors of the early Church, and then Constantine made Christianity the official religion, or at least propped it up.

I am going to keep it pretty open as I wade into these ancient coin waters, and will continue to read, learn and enjoy the process.

As you put together your strategy, don't forget that Late Roman Bronzes may have a great deal to catch your interest.





While the field mark is not integral to the design of the coin, it is an auxiliary mark, nonetheless as a Constantinian bronze the association of the symbol with the emperor is unmistakable. During his lifetime the Chi-Rho was adopted by Christianity as an emblem for the name of Christ, and as such figures prominently in early Christian history from the fourth century on.

There are lots of lrb items that work like this.

This coin is a Constantinopolitan commemorative from the second officina at Arelate. It is an AE4 module.

Athalbert: I'll pull it out and take some better pictures of it.

augustus1: I have some of those flips you are selling, same hand writing and everything. Very odd when you see something like that happen.

I have bought two slabbed coins, both modern.

One I kept in the slab because the slab was signed by the coin's engraver, the second one I cut out to put with the rest in that series.

If the slab comes with something special like provonoce keep it as is, if not pop it out and keep the label for a reference.