'my Hero' On Ancient, Greek, Roman And Medieval

This seems like a great idea for a thread. I'll nominate echizento for always giving awesome information to everybody here!

Ancientnoob sent me an email showing me a great book on Sasanian coins for sale on vcoins. I thought it was great he remembered my thread and took time out of his day to email me.

I must say TC, I am truly touched by your kind words. I am speechless.


I would have to thank VK, Chrsmat, and Eng for their continued support of my "odd" collecting habits over the years. Sometimes it can be a bit disheartening to know you are the only person who "likes" a certain kind of coin.

I would also have to thank all the new guys who keep the board fresh and interesting and the YN's that take something away from it all.

This wouldn't be fair to write this an not acknowledge my very good friend Ron (Echizento), whom I correspond quite regularly with. Ron not only collects the ancient coins, but what many of you don't know is Echizento is a former dealer and collector of authentic Japanese swords. This is not something to be taken lightly.

Imagine collecting something that has very little information written about, something where there are no dies or hoards to compare against. Something that can't be looked up in a book or described properly without a lifetime of guided experience.
Ron took me under his wing and schooled me on the subject over the past couple of years. He has known that ever since I was a child I wanted an authentic Japanese samurai sword. As an adult, I came to realize that it was truly the hobby of the wealthy, where the crappiest of good specimens can run into the thousands.
The Japanese sword is not a commodity like most antiques but rather the soul of the samurai and the spirit of the smith. One does not become its owner but rather its custodian, cared for and preserved for future generations.
He entrusted me with one such pieces. A piece he obtained many, many years ago, complete with its WWII surrender tags. I will forever be grateful, because something like this cannot be bought by the common many any longer.

Forged in AD 1278 by Sakukane of Bizen, from the Koto (Old Sword Period).

This past year I had the sword restored in the traditional manner in Japan (a small fortune) It was restored to its original condition. Polished as it should be every 100 years.

For that I am forever grateful.

Need I say he gave me a ton of books to make sure I knew less than I knew when started.

again from the genius that is Chrsmat.

Well said BD.