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 Replies: 16 / Views: 1,859 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
842 Posts |
I was wondering what your goal is in collecting Roman coins. Are you focusing on one emperor/dynasty or are you collecting any coin as long as it varies from others you have? Or, are you someone who buys the uncleaned and tidies them up for either yourself or others to enjoy? Please share!  I started off buying only uncleaned coins. I still but tons of them, but now I am looking into ones that are already complete to try and build up certain areas of my collection (mentioned later). Personally my original goal was to acquire as many different coins and varieties I could regardless of emperor/dynasty. However, recently I have begun choosing fields I want to pursue. I am doggedly chasing down any Julia Domna coin I can find as well as Republic families Claudia and Calpurnia. I also would like to have one coin of each accepted emperor. Edited to include additional questions. Edited by ancientcoinguy
10/06/2011 6:21 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
I don't have many, so I'm picking up any that interest me, at the right prices of course. But I pay special attention to emperors and mints that I don't have yet. Also, I'm particularly interested in acquiring Fel Temp fallen horseman coins.
Edited by VisigothKing
10/06/2011 6:49 pm
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Moderator
 Australia
16870 Posts |
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I also would like to have one coin of each accepted emperor. If I had to name one primary theme with my Roman collection, this would be it. Another one I'm actively aiming for is one from each post-Diocletian mint city. Other themes, which tie in with interests from my non-Roman collection, include: - astrological/astronomical theme - gods with planets named after them, that sort of thing. - one of each denomination/monetary unit. - different dating/calendar systems. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
I dont really do uncleaned coins - I'm not very good at it, if I see something that 'needs a bit of work' and I want the coin I'll have a go but thats about it. I started collecting everything Roman, all centuries all people like a headless chicken - then realised I was missing out on the history, the real reason I'm here. I sold most of my collection and started again. I collect 3rd century radiates because I like them aesthetically. I collect Constantine Sols because I wanted to study in depth a single coin. I wanted to learn about mints, styles, fieldmarks etc to give me an overall understanding of the subject. I collect barbarous coins because they're not as well studied as the official coins but possibly more interesting. I collect 'Invasion coins' (although I only have two) because I like the history associated with them and again I find them aesthetically pleasing. When I get bored of unsuccessfully searching for them I buy a standard Genius follis to keep me happy  . I collect coins from the London Mint as much like the reasons for collecting the Sols it will give me a better understanding of how an overall mint works. I collect Britannic and Gallic Empire coins as I'm British and its close to home. All of my areas are 3rd / 4th century, I do intend to start working backwards in time but not until I'm happy I've learned enough to do so. I came for the coins but stayed for the history  . Edited by bobbyhelmet
10/06/2011 7:11 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Forgot to add I also only buy bargain coins. I think in some ways having inexhaustible funds would spoil the whole thing. I'm not in it as an investment but I'm happy to let coins pass me by if the prices are unreasonable. I also dont mind if coins are a bit battered and worn, as long as they can be 100% IDed I'm happy and I like to think the coins have been used for their primary purpose.
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
I've set an impossible goal and that is to collect every emperor of the Roman and Byzantine empires. I'm about half way with the Roman emperors and 20 percent on the Byzantine emperors.
I also enjoy working on umcleaned coins, but the prices have gone up so much that I haven't bought any lots lately.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Geez, let me take an afternoon to work on my honeydo list and everyone starts new threads without me. Hmmmm, I wonder if there is a message in there somewhere?
As far as themes go, I really love collecting all things Roman with very little special interest involved. Most of you know I'm actively trying to complete my denarius collection of the first twelve Caesars and missing only the Caligula.
I am also trying to obtain at least one coin from each of the widely accepted emperors of Imperial Rome. I'd have to go count, but I think I'm missing 14-18 from having a complete set. Some are not in very good shape, but they are attributable so I'm satisfied for the moment. As coins present themselves, I am also trying to upgrade these lesser quality coins, but like Bobbyhelmet, I'm not rich (in money that is), so the prices have to be right.
My last area of interest I am looking to complete is at least one coin from the mint cities I have been lucky enough in which to travel. Siscia, Trier, Arles, Lyon, Rome, London to name a few. Ant then to travel to all the others so I can use that for an excuse to buy another coin.
All in all, if you have a Roman coin you wish to part with, just let me know. I very well might be interested.
Regards to one and all,
JW
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
Coins I like at prices I can afford:
Unlike JW I have no idea now many emperors I lack and I have never cared for the idea of collecting a ruler set. I owned a Didius Julianus but sold it in 1972 never to be replaced. I'll never have a Saturninus, Domitian II or a few others so it never seemed important to know the count.
Not long ago I discovered that I have a Falling Horseman from all the possible mints except one (Trier) even though RIC lists one type as common. Part of me wants to complete the set but I'll not be paying extra to get an ugly one. Over the years I have had sequential special interests and a few partial sets have resulted more or less by accident. That happens when you buy coins you find interesting and don't feel the need justify buying a coin because it fits some game plan. I have no idea what my next coin will be but I hope I'll still like it at least a few years after it comes. There are a million different ancient coin varieties. Complete sets don't happen.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
I collect Constantinopolis city commems by mint and officinae. Only got a few left to find.
Also griffins and hippocamps and various other coins that strike my fancy.
Every time you guys post up a coin or type you are collecting it makes me want to collect those too. It's all so interesting.
I'm trying to stay somewhat focused.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
The majority of the ancients that I have are from uncleaned lots. I enjoy cleaning them! But many are not identifiable.  Moving forward I plan focus on coins with good eye appeal that have full legends. I will probably get more focused as I mature as a numismatist. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2269 Posts |
I originally started collecting the first 12 Caesars. My focus has changed to collecting coins of Antoninus Pius. I started collecting every denomination of Antoninus coins from the Rome Mint. I have expanded to include provincial mints.
I have also been collecting Roman coins that depict the Mythological creature Pegasus.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
My main aim is to just get nice coins at a reasonable price, usually from very reputable dealers or main auctions.
A lesser motive is to get a complete denomination set from all Roman eras:
Republican
Imperial
Late Roman
Roman Colonial
With auctions, I put in low bids and quite often miss out. That is the strategy I use to keep costs under control. If I am lucky, I am very happy with what I get.
As an extension, I am also attempting to build a collection of gold coins, with one coin to represent each main culture, from about 500 BC to just before the Renaissance, around AD 1500. Been at this task for around 30 years.
That collection will never be fully complete, (depends on how a 'culture' is defined, and over what period), but I have a skeleton collection of around 15 coins already.
Attempting to do the same in silver and bronze as well.
Edited by sel_69l
10/07/2011 03:23 am
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
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but I have a skeleton collection of around 15 coins already I'd love to see these Sel if you have pictures and are happy to post them! |
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Valued Member
Bulgaria
59 Posts |
My first roman coin was a Vespasian denarius. Since then I'm trying to collect every single denarius design with his bust. I have more than 40 of his coins. And it was maybe 2 or 3 years ago I realized I wanted to have a twelve caesars collection. I'm only 2 shy from this goal.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Quote:
My first roman coin was a Vespasian denarius. Since then I'm trying to collect every single denarius design with his bust. I have more than 40 of his coins. And it was maybe 2 or 3 years ago I realized I wanted to have a twelve caesars collection. I'm only 2 shy from this goal.
Which two are you missing? I'll take a guess that its Caligula and Claudius, but perhaps Otho. I'd love to see the 10 you do have. JW |
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Valued Member
Bulgaria
59 Posts |
Caligula and Otho that's right :) I'll make couple of photos and post them here JW no problem
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Replies: 16 / Views: 1,859 |
Posted 10/06/2011 6:49 pm
