Thank you everyone for posting examples of various methods of collecting Roman coins and your other thoughts related to this subject.
DavidUK:
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I made a small collection of about 12 Romans (...)
Collecting a set of selected coins, each of some historical importance or at least related to a major event, is quite an interesting take on it, and one I haven't encountered before!
This method could well be used to collect other cultures or countries as well (though I must say it does feel very random to someone who was taught to collect every date of every type available).
moxking:
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I already knew buying cheap was not a good way to proceed.
Yes, if I learned anything in the course of my collecting - it's that.
Finn235:
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I agree that an organic collection is the best sort... much more personal than assembling a checklist of coins to get with a defined finish line.
I haven't considered that before. But when you think of it - if every coin is your collection is selected for a reason (and that reason isn't of the
my catalog says I need it type), there's a lot more meaning to it.
On the flip side, if there comes a time when you need to sell, it's much harder to let such a collection go...
antwerpen2306:
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Coin collecting takes time , so you will have the possibility to make a nice collection by being difficult on the quality
I realize that deciding to collect Roman coins will not result in having a large collection. The prices at reputable sites greatly limit the possibility of frequent purchases for me. Then, insisting on above-average specimens (regardless of the actual criteria employed) limits it even further. But when you do find something suitable among the hundreds of coins on offer, it has the personal factor, as pointed out by Finn235.
caesar77:
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A goal, whatever it may be is essential (...) quality over quantity.
That, in fact, summarizes the background to my question. For years - on and off - I've been buying random coins from various countries and eras. Just about the only good thing that came out of it is some familiarity with various coin types. Having nothing to show for all these years, I decided to give the process of selecting an area of collecting some more thought - hence this thread.
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in some cases I have acquired a Bronze if the portrait was magnificent
It has been brought up 3 times already and it is something I have also noticed myself. The quality of the portraits on Roman coins varies greatly (for some rulers more than for others) - but the best ones are simply amazing. I am astonished at how good some of them can be!
orfew:
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I started by reading books and websites for several months before buying my first ancient coin
I must agree. Somehow, rushing to buy has never worked for me - for coins or any other collection. I wonder why...
And that's even before we take the knowledge issue into consideration - the fakes, the prices, the relevant vocabulary etc.
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Find out what you are interested in and pursue that for which you have a passion.
Having been collecting coins rather aimlessly, this time I have taken the time to attempt to properly select an area to pursue. I started with listing about a dozen - those that I found at least somewhat interesting over the years. Then, I listed pros and cons of collecting each of them. Having the arguments on paper, it was clear that only two of the initial options were viable - Roman coins and Germany.
The problem is that at the moment it's still "
Roman coins", not "
The coins of Gallienus" (to quote Finn235's example).
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Posted 04/18/2016 4:08 pm
