Posted 01/14/2006 1:28 pm
It depends on what your goals are. Are you interested in certain portions of Roman history? Do you like certain emperors? Do you want coins with the finest artistic style? (And don't forget "Byzantine" coins. The "Byzantine" Empire is a direct continuation of the Roman Empire in the east, and there is a good continuity of coin styles. They are a good value too.) Finally, how much do you want to spend? Roman coins can be had for prices ranging from a few dollars to hundreds of thousands.
Ancient coin collecting is very subjective. Values aren't so well defined, and different people find different coins desirable.
Here are a few of the sorts of coins that I like. Your preferences may differ.
Cheap coins (under $20). Most of these are small bronzes from c. 260-1200. They are a good way to learn and get familiar with the series, even if they aren't the most attractive coins. These coins can sometimes be purchased in bulk.
Coins of high artistic quality. Generally, with these you will want higher grade coins. If you like the classical ancient style, look for a high-grade silver denarius of the Roman Republic; many of these Greek-inspired coins are quite beautiful, and they are not overly expensive; I have found nice ones for under $100. If you like the classic Roman portrait art, look for a high-grade example of one of the earlier emperors. The large bronze sestertius will often have the most interesting portraits. Coins of Vespasian are relatively common and they show the classic style (they show accurate images of the emperor... sometimes too accurate!). For somewhat more idealized, stylized portraits (but still reasonably realistic), look to Antoninus Pius through Commodus. If you like the later stylized Christian-style art, gold coins of c. 800-1200 are absolutely beautiful and are usually affordable. Or if you want a nice, affordable gold example of the style of those common bronzes from c. 320-490, a gold solidus of Anastasius, Justin I, or Justinian I will do nicely.
Rarity. There are plenty to choose from. Julius Caesar coins are a bit hard to come by, especially in high grades. There were a lot of emperors who served for just a few months during troubled times; their coins are generally rare and rather expensive, but they would be good choices if you want something out-of-the-ordinary. A favorite of mine (although I don't have one yet) is Didius Julianus. He is the infamous emperor who bought his position from the military and lasted only two months before being murdered.
Collecting some sort of series to observe history in action in the coins. An inexpensive series is the antoninianus from c. 230 to 290. This coin, originally silver, was gradually debased around 260, and ultimately became a bronze coin with minuscule silver content. To preserve the illusion, they were silver washed, but most of them have since lost their silvering. (Sometimes today, silver washed examples are offered for sale, but I am suspicious that many were silver washed in modern times.) These coins show inflation and decline in action. Although they are generally unattractive, they are a powerful symbol of the events of their day. Collecting all of the emperors of this series would be difficult, since some only reigned a few weeks, but coins of the ones who lasted two years or more are generally common and dirt-cheap. There are other historical series that could be created. Inflationary periods in the early 300's can be tracked, and inflation can again be seen in the debasement of gold coins in the 1000's and the debasement of gold to silver in the 1300's.
Roman provincial (also known as Greek Imperial) coins. Coins were made at numerous mints in the distant provinces. Those in the Greek areas usually have Greek lettering, while most others retain the standard Latin inscriptions. Most, but by no means all, are cruder than the standard imperial issues, but there is such a wide variety that they are a fascinating series to collect. Plus, they are relatively inexpensive.
Finally, if you really want to get into this, look for a book on the subject. Sear's "Roman Coins and their Values", "Greek Imperial [Roman Provincial] Coins and their Values", and "Byzantine Coins and their Values" are excellent references.
I hope this helps. Gook luck!
Heather
Ancient coin collecting is very subjective. Values aren't so well defined, and different people find different coins desirable.
Here are a few of the sorts of coins that I like. Your preferences may differ.
Cheap coins (under $20). Most of these are small bronzes from c. 260-1200. They are a good way to learn and get familiar with the series, even if they aren't the most attractive coins. These coins can sometimes be purchased in bulk.
Coins of high artistic quality. Generally, with these you will want higher grade coins. If you like the classical ancient style, look for a high-grade silver denarius of the Roman Republic; many of these Greek-inspired coins are quite beautiful, and they are not overly expensive; I have found nice ones for under $100. If you like the classic Roman portrait art, look for a high-grade example of one of the earlier emperors. The large bronze sestertius will often have the most interesting portraits. Coins of Vespasian are relatively common and they show the classic style (they show accurate images of the emperor... sometimes too accurate!). For somewhat more idealized, stylized portraits (but still reasonably realistic), look to Antoninus Pius through Commodus. If you like the later stylized Christian-style art, gold coins of c. 800-1200 are absolutely beautiful and are usually affordable. Or if you want a nice, affordable gold example of the style of those common bronzes from c. 320-490, a gold solidus of Anastasius, Justin I, or Justinian I will do nicely.
Rarity. There are plenty to choose from. Julius Caesar coins are a bit hard to come by, especially in high grades. There were a lot of emperors who served for just a few months during troubled times; their coins are generally rare and rather expensive, but they would be good choices if you want something out-of-the-ordinary. A favorite of mine (although I don't have one yet) is Didius Julianus. He is the infamous emperor who bought his position from the military and lasted only two months before being murdered.
Collecting some sort of series to observe history in action in the coins. An inexpensive series is the antoninianus from c. 230 to 290. This coin, originally silver, was gradually debased around 260, and ultimately became a bronze coin with minuscule silver content. To preserve the illusion, they were silver washed, but most of them have since lost their silvering. (Sometimes today, silver washed examples are offered for sale, but I am suspicious that many were silver washed in modern times.) These coins show inflation and decline in action. Although they are generally unattractive, they are a powerful symbol of the events of their day. Collecting all of the emperors of this series would be difficult, since some only reigned a few weeks, but coins of the ones who lasted two years or more are generally common and dirt-cheap. There are other historical series that could be created. Inflationary periods in the early 300's can be tracked, and inflation can again be seen in the debasement of gold coins in the 1000's and the debasement of gold to silver in the 1300's.
Roman provincial (also known as Greek Imperial) coins. Coins were made at numerous mints in the distant provinces. Those in the Greek areas usually have Greek lettering, while most others retain the standard Latin inscriptions. Most, but by no means all, are cruder than the standard imperial issues, but there is such a wide variety that they are a fascinating series to collect. Plus, they are relatively inexpensive.
Finally, if you really want to get into this, look for a book on the subject. Sear's "Roman Coins and their Values", "Greek Imperial [Roman Provincial] Coins and their Values", and "Byzantine Coins and their Values" are excellent references.
I hope this helps. Gook luck!
Heather
