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 Replies: 28 / Views: 4,295 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
616 Posts |
After collecting Romans for 4 years I'm considering expanding into Greeks.
Any suggestions on what would be a good collecting strategy? Something focused to create an interesting collection.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Wow, so many possibilities, some of which would of course be budget-dependent. Athenian owls, Herakles-in-lion-skin types, specific denominations or metals, Ptolemaic hockey pucks, style (archaic, Hellenistic), region, etc.
I used to collect some Seleucid and Ptolemaic AR's, which I greatly enjoyed. I think, though, if I were to collect from the Greek world again, I'd go with the big Ptolemy AE's.
Looking forward to seeing what you decide, and tracking your progress. Have fun!
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
A vast area to work with. I personally like Ptolemaic and Indo-Greek coinage.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
If it's any help at all, my personal goals (in about a decade or so!) are to collect:
1) One of each of the major "trade coins", e.g. Tetradrachms of Athens, Syracuse, Thasos etc, Corinthian and Aegean staters, Shekel of Tyre
2) One tetradrachm each of Philip II, Alexander the Great, and his Diadochi
3) As an extended project, *maybe* an emperor set of the Seleucids? Haven't researched how feasible this would be.
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Moderator
United States
34423 Posts |
@jskirwin, after dipping my toe into Greek numismatics over the past coupla years, having a strategy is probably a really good idea. I'm having fun, but should probably settle on a strategy myself.  "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Valued Member
United States
90 Posts |
Nothing wrong with NOT having a strategy at first. Collect what appeals to you initially
and then go with what appeals to you the most. You can always sell off what you
are less interested in. I collect Seleucids because they are tied so closely with the
Parthians, my primary interest. Either way, have fun!
Steve S.
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New Member
United States
45 Posts |
My experience is that a person should NOT start their collecting with a specific focus.... as that focus will tend to change over time.
The better experience for collectors is to buy coins that have a historical appeal to them... or have an aesthetic appeal to them. After a few purchases a collecting focus will gradually evolve.
But.... The primary goal should be to have fun and enjoy your purchases.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
I agree. Begin with whatever strikes your fancy. The focus will eventually find you!
Edited by Kushanshah
10/13/2018 10:53 am
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Valued Member
Canada
167 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
616 Posts |
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. They've given me much to consider.
AlRashid - those are some lovely tetradrachms. There's something appealing about their size, especially after collecting Roman silver denarii. You've got a great collection!
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Valued Member
Canada
167 Posts |
Thanks Jskirwin for kind words! Yea I love these coins they are artistically very beautiful and craftsmanship of the strike is just phenomenal. They are big and heavy and I like that about these compared to Sasanian and Roman coins. I wish you also enjoy collecting Greek and share the coins you acquire please.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
In my opinion, you should start with a selection of uncleaned coins. The process of identifying each one will force you to read about all the different states and the designs they used, then you will be better equipped to decide what direction to go in. If you like size, take a look at late Alexander tetradrachms from the Temnos mint. The only nice greek coin I ever bought is a 36mm issue from Temnos:  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Circling back to the thread, any more insights on what you think would appeal to you with the Greek coins? I know you were big on Roman coins for their historical appeal; are you wanting the same with Greeks, or would you be happy with a coin type that couldn't be pinned to a specific decade, let alone ruler? I have personally found that some of the Greek coins I find most artistically appealing are also anonymous, generally pre-Alexander issues. Asia Minor has a lot of coins that are artistically appealing, but also not break-the-banks expensive like the more popular issues.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
616 Posts |
Finn235
I've been reviewing what's available in current auctions and on Vcoins with buyers I trust. Putting my own "Know the coin or know the seller" to use.
You're right: I'm big on historical events for Romans.
But I'm thinking I might start with the eye appeal with the Greeks. The artistry of some of alRashid's and Ben's tetradrachms is unparalleled in Rome.
I'm also a sucker for a pretty lady, and there are plenty of nymph and goddesses floating around that I might start with.
Edited by jskirwin
10/15/2018 4:04 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
A good starting point might be Kyzikos fractions. They are plentiful, pretty, and dirt cheap. I have a half dozen on ebay now, most of which are under $5 and I doubt they will go much higher. They are small, though! This is my example; still one of my favorite Greek coins:  I didn't expect to, but I found a real soft spot for Persian satrapal coinage of Cilicia in southern Asia Minor, pre-Alexander:  (My favorite although I did part with it when I was offered a price too good to pass up!) Edited by Finn235
10/15/2018 5:02 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 Spain
2752 Posts |
Maybe a bronze collection of the Twelve Olympian gods/goddesses could be an interesting start and wont break the bank...Paul http://goccf.com/t/176215Edited by Palouche
10/19/2018 06:53 am
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Replies: 28 / Views: 4,295 |
Posted 10/12/2018 1:01 pm
