Why Do You Guys Collect Ancient Coins?

I had built up a type set of Aussie coins, where each type was represented by the rarest date for that type, of all denominations. Having completed that set, I thought "What could I collect and study, as a group of coins, where a complete set would be an impossibility?" That was forty years ago. That answer was provided by collecting and studying ancient coins.

My first ancient coin was a denarius, of Antoninus Pius, in about VF condition with the modius and corn ears reverse, ANNONA being the legend. I had no reference books, I just liked the coin. The cost? $4.50! In retrospect that was fair market value for the coin at that time. These days you could reasonably satisfy yourself with the acquisition of a nice denarius, which you could keep for the rest of your life

The best reference book(s) are by David Sear which indicate the types of Roman coins available, and what you could expect to pay. Even if they are older editions, you can still get a good idea of relative pricing between different roman coins. Be a lurker on the various internet auctions and have a good look first.

I must admit, I do have a complete copy of the Roman Imperial Catalogue, over 14 volumes, which I bought way back in 1972, but the books by David Sear will do almost as good a job. See if you can obtain a good second hand set of books by Sear. My collection these days includes a denomination set of Vespasian of the aureus, denarius and sestertius. I also have a few nice Greek coins as well, and my interests have extended into ancient Indian coins and Chinese cash coins over most emperors and dynasties. Schoth is my reference for the Chinese coins.

How I came to own a copy of Schoth is an interesting story in itself. The book was originally on the shelves of the main town library in Portland Oregon, a gift from the Portland Coin Club. The book was neglected and un borrowed, so the library decided to sell it in a job lot that went to Spinks in London. I had previously indicated to one of Sydney's leading coin dealers that I would like to collect Chinese cash coins, and he told me that Schoth was the the reference, but he did not have a copy. About 6 months later, I received a phone call that Spinks in London had a copy, would I like it? The cost imported to Australia would be $14. That was in 1973. I still have the book, and about 200 cash coins as well. In those days it was possible to buy cash coins for a few cents.

Many years ago, I was a subscriber the Seaby's monthly Coin and Medal Bulletin. There was a section in the magazine for coins for sale. This part of the magazine was subdivided into ancients, hammered milled and modern coins. The modern coins were those minted after the Great Coin Reform in Great Britain of (I think) 1816, where coins take on the modern appearance of coin produced in a press. The milled section had coins that were made generally in a screw press, rather than as in a modern press, of lever type, or hydraulic press, ( the English ones date from 1662, I have a rather worn shilling and crown of Charles11). Hammered coins were made from hand made dies that were struck with a sharp blow from a hammer, they are usually quite thin, which made them look large for their weight. They date from the end of the Roman Empire, to the period of milled coins in about 1600, although the first 'thaler' - 'dollar', was minted in (I think), in the town of Hall in Austria in 1486.

Ancient coins go back before the end of the Roman Empire, right back to the time of when coins were first made, to about 650BC. Ancients include Greek coins Celtic coins Chinese cast cash coins and coins of India and South East Asia. The period of ancient coins in the Indian and South East Asian region, which can be right up when modern European like coins were introduced in the 1800's.

I know all of this might be very 'old hat' to experienced collectors, but I thought it may be of interest to young newbies on this site.

delaner: That's a nice little Sprite you have there, what condition is it in... perhaps VF? Many years ago my mum had a Morris Minor, which had the same engine as the Sprite. As you may have guessed, my handle (SEL 69l) refers to my car.... A Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 litre. If you want to look a picture of it, go to the 'topklasse' website. You will discover my avatar on Latest Posts: 'Black or Silver' thread. You will find our club website, referring to mainly W116 Mercedes of about 30 to 35 years old. Topklasse is Sydney based, but we have quite a few members from all over the world, just as Coin Community does.


Actually, Daimler Benz supports many Mercedes club sites all over the planet.

Btw, Sear is a great suggestion for anyone getting into Roman Imperials. His 88 edition is the last one volume copy, and goes for about $50. Search ebay a lot and you might get it for less.

Romans are easiest to start with, since they are well researched, easier for westerners to read, cheap, and available.