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 Replies: 19 / Views: 2,327 |
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New Member
United Kingdom
14 Posts |
Hello I'm looking to start a collection. I'm thinking Roman Imperial, as it interests me most. Mainly because I like the look of the coins, I think its amazing you could own something so old yet it be reasonably affordable and I like the idea of learning more about the history as I go along. I've been doing some general reading on the types of coin, sizes, how to avoid fakes etc. However what I lack is some practical advice. So here goes... 1) What would you suggest for a beginner in the UK as an affordable type of coin to collect or perhaps you don't reccommend focusing by a particular coin type at all? I'm leaning towards liking sestertius the most as they're big, they look impressive, but what would you reccomend? Bearing in mind I have a limited budget like I'm sure we all do, I want to be as smart as possible for it and get the best quality I can for my money. If you have suggestions I'd gladly hear them. 3) Now you've told me what you think about types of coin, once I've figured out the best route for me, what are the most logical ways of focusing that further if you even think I should? I mean simply getting a coin type for each emperor seems cool while being a difficult target. I feel like it would give me a lot of coins to choose from so I could pick the best quality out, whereas if I focused very precisely it may be slower progress. But then again, that might not be bad, what do you think? Thanks a lot for bearing with me  Edited by MarvelousMarv
12/31/2012 6:57 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1411 Posts |
 to CCF! 1) Collect what you like  If you are interested in all of the Roman Imperial period, collect that time period. If you are interested in the Constantine family, collect that time period. I'll leave the other two for others who are more experienced then me |
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New Member
 United Kingdom
14 Posts |
Happy new year to all.
I'm not particularly familiar with prices as yet. Obviously its going to depend on the rarity of the coin but...
Generally speaking, I take it the bronze coins are cheaper than silver and so on?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
I suggest buying coins you like - coins that speak to you. After you have a dozen or so, you may start to see a pattern that will tell you what specialty will be right for you. Maybe you won't. Either way I suggest specialist collectors maintain a backup general collection so all is not lost if it takes you a while to discover the thing that your favorite coins all have in common. Plan to know a little about everything and everything about a little. There will be plenty of time to pick which 'little' is yours.
Sestertii are nice, large and tend to be lower grade or very expensive. If you are quite rich and plan on spending $1000 per coin, perhaps they are OK as a specialty but since they are only available for half of Roman Imperial times, you are limiting yourself. Limiting yourself in grade, cost and time period strikes me as a poor way to start. I'd start with coins with interesting types that are typical for their times rather than feeling like I have to have a certain coin of a ruler just because it is a sestertius.
2013 completes my first half century as a collector. There are still rulers I do not own. That does not bother me. I do not recommend setting unobtainable goals but simply to gather coins that further your education and enjoyment. Buy what seems to fit your personality and not what some guy on CCF tells you to buy.
Disclosure: Don't collect Eastern mint denarii of Septimius Severus. There are enough of us already competing for too few coins.
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New Member
United Kingdom
14 Posts |
Thanks for the responses. Very helpful.
When you say 'interesting types', to be clear...what do you mean? :)
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1411 Posts |
For example, I found this depiction of Heracles to be very interesting. That was why I bought this coin  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
 with Doug. But I would add to it by asking if you currently own any Ancients at all? If not, I might suggest you need to get to know a little about how Ancients should feel and look before you dive head first into the pool of water. Third and Fourth Century coins can be obtained at generally lower prices and will give you the chance to get to know the fabric of these coins. The Constantine era might be a good place to start. I started many years ago with a goal of collecting a silver Denarius from each of the first 12 Caesars (Suetonius). I just bought the last of those 12 this year after 30 years. My second goal was like yours. To collect one of each of the recognized Emperors of Imperial Rome. I'm still working on that goal and probably will never complete it. In the meantime, I've branched out to collect many interesting reverse types and provincial coins of many of the Caesars, a few Republic and Imperatorial coins, and recently some very few Greek coins. All in all, I'm pleased with my collection, but I find something new all the time that catches my attention. It's never ending I do believe and I wouldn't have it any other way. Good luck to you whatever you choose to collect and I hope you post any purchases here for us all to see and discuss. Happy New Year. |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
to the community I agree with Doug, Bing and the others collect what you like. An advantage in living in the UK is that it is much easier to come by late Roman coins from the London mint. These are a favorite of mine but sadly I don't have many. Looking forward to seeing what you deside to collect. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
842 Posts |
When I started collecting I bought whatever I could afford. The result? I have a decent sized collection that has many different types represented. While buying willy nilly (if you will) I developed a taste for what I wanted over time. Just recently I posted a thread detailing my decision on where I shall focus my collecting, which is coinage from the provincial city of Markianopolis.
I suggest this route. Buy what you can afford! Do not set any goals yet. Let your taste develop over time. I think you will be surprised on what your heart settles on. I know I can say that for myself! Of course, in the end it is entirely up to you. Just my personal experience. Most importantly throughout all of this, have fun!
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
I am a new collector from the UK and I started by buying a Hadrian Denarius and an Alexander the Great Drachm.
Thats because those two figures are historically interesting to me...
I expected that I would then start collecting Marcus Aurelius and his family after seeing documenteries about him... but alas I didn't get around to it...after recieving my first two coins I realised that I love the style of the Greek coins and have started buying the more notable varieties of Greek silver coins... (Not a cheap decision)
Roman Bronze Follis coins are a good place to start though if you are of limited budget because those coins offer good value for money, they are adequately sized and are reasonably priced with a fair about of reverses and rulers.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
567 Posts |
My best advice - buy the book before the coin. If you don't want to spent out the wazoo on books then join the ANA, they do library loans to members for postage costs only and the librarians there can reccomend good titles for what you are lookng to study. You will save yourself money and disappointment by doing your homework first. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
567 Posts |
Oh, crud, you're in the UK. The Royal Numismatic Society can help you then.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Being in the UK has some good advantages - we can buy detector found lots off of ebay. This is how I've started collecting - I've bought about 130 uncleaned coins up to now and I havent found a specialised area yet. I enjoy cleaning them, more than anything. The advantages of this is that you learn the different types as you try and identify the ones you have and you get some interesting variety too - I've found a couple of rarities and many many different rulers in my lots. Oh - and its dirt cheap. £42 for 108 uncleaned coins and I have some really nice stuff in there too. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
Have fun with your collection!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
I wanted to start out with Rome. I ended up very far away from Rome...deep central India..how did that happen?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
946 Posts |
Well Mary, as I mentioned in the thread "Talk about a handful" ( https://goccf.com/t/137453) the majority of large AE (bronze) coins remained in circulataion for at least a hundred years after they were first issued, and so got worn. Thus there are few with good details left, and that makes them expensive. Would you like a Roman coin that commemorates a historic event, is special to a city or province or just the personage, be it the emperor, empress, caesar etc? Edited by Masis
01/01/2013 3:41 pm
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Replies: 19 / Views: 2,327 |
Posted 12/31/2012 7:16 pm
