| IntroductionThis is a very interesting and | | | | before one becomes available.Greek Empirei) |
| unfortunately, a very difficult question to | | | | AdvantagesAn immediate advantage to the |
| answer.Unlike other numismatic areas, ancient | | | | collector is that he/she has much scope for |
| numismatics has a diverse range of coins from a | | | | collecting as there is a more diverse range of coin |
| diverse range of cultures spanning over a | | | | types availalble.Also Greek coins come in the most |
| thousand years.This figure is unfathomable when | | | | fascinating variety of shapes and forms. A |
| you compare it to a "modern" collecting interest | | | | collector on a tight budge may survive by |
| such as Australian pre-decimal coins which only | | | | purchasing common coins such as obols |
| span a little over fifty years.This article is not | | | | fromcommon areas and/or mints. However, unlike |
| intended to provide a comprehensive answer to | | | | with Roman coins, that does not mean that the |
| the question posed, but outline a quick sketch of | | | | collector will never come accross coins with |
| the options available to you as well as their | | | | exquisite designs. In fact, most greek coins |
| respective advantages and disadvantages.Initial | | | | contain amazing depictions of mythological scenes |
| QuestionsOne of the first things you must ask | | | | and/or gods, goddessess, kings and queens. This |
| yourself before making any purchases, is what | | | | is quite different from the standard Emperor |
| area of ancient coins interests you? As a new | | | | Obverse and standard (for common coins |
| collector, you are prone to giving into temptation | | | | anyway) reverses for the coins of the Roman |
| and purchasing every "pretty" coin that passes | | | | Empire.ii) DisadvantagesThe extraordinary range |
| your way. This is a quick way to run out of | | | | of coin types availabe makes it extremely difficult |
| much-needed funds and only leads to regret later | | | | for the collector to frame his collection.Also, |
| on down the track.Regarding ancient numismatics, | | | | Greek coins tend to get expensive quite quickly. |
| the first question I would recommend asking | | | | If you are collecting bronze coins, you will delight |
| yourself is what empire you'd like to collect from. | | | | in the sheer number of coins available to you for |
| There are several advantages and disadvantages | | | | only a few dollars. However, if you progress to |
| of each but it all depends on your individual taste. | | | | silver coins, you will quickly find that some coins |
| I will run through these advantages and | | | | will never be in your price range.Byzantine Empirei) |
| adisadvantages individually.Roman Empirei) | | | | AdvantagesLike Roman Coins, Byzantine coins are |
| AdvantagesThere are many advantages in | | | | cheaper than greek coins. In particular, Byzantine |
| collecting Roman coins. First of all they are | | | | cup coins in VF condition can be foundeBay for as |
| cheaper. Don't misinterpret this statement though, | | | | little as $US 2.00 each. Gold and silver coins are |
| there are many Roman coins that will be out of | | | | also generally cheaper than the average Roman |
| your price range, but as a general assumption this | | | | Solidus or Aureus.ii) DisadvantagesTo the |
| holds true. Compared to Greek coins, uncleaned | | | | untrained eye, Byzantine coins of the same type |
| Roman coins are always cheaper, third to 5th | | | | are virtually indistinguishable from one another. |
| century coins are always cheaper than the | | | | This makes attribution an extremely difficult |
| "typical" greek coin, and even silver roman coins | | | | process.Also, the style is cruder, and do not |
| are cheaper than greek silver coins.Also, Roman | | | | match the celatorship found in the Greek and |
| coins are easier to attribute and to follow | | | | Roman Empires.Uncleaned Coinsi) AdvantagesThe |
| generally. Roman Imperial coins have the emperor | | | | main advantage is that at face value, they are |
| on the obverse 99% of the time and thus you | | | | cheaper. This should not be the main consideration |
| almost always know at which part of the Roman | | | | of the collector, unless he/she is working with an |
| Empire you are, chronologically-speaking. Also, later | | | | extremely limited budget, because it is an often |
| roman coins were minted during a period where | | | | misleading point. The statement does not take |
| there was an elaborate mint-mark system. This | | | | into accound the opportunity cost of cleaning |
| means that not only can you attribute the coin | | | | coins. Cleaning coins takes time and patience and |
| much easier, you can even attribute it right down | | | | in those many hours, the collector may have |
| to the mint itself (and even further!!!)Another | | | | instead chosen to work a few extra hours to |
| advantage is that Roman coins are generally | | | | increase his/her wages. However, there are |
| found in higher grades than Greek coins. A quick | | | | collectors who manage to efficiently refine their |
| search on your favourite coin sites, or even | | | | cleaning techniques and thus decrease this |
| indeed eBay will readily confirm this.Another | | | | opportunity cost.Another advantage though, is |
| advatange, though this is a moot point, is that it is | | | | that by cleaning and attributing the coins, the |
| easier to determine whether a Roman coin is | | | | collector finds that he/she is able to learn a great |
| authentic or not. This is because | | | | deal about ancient numismatics and history in and |
| generally-speaking, Roman coins feature a known | | | | fun and enoyable way.A fundamental advantage |
| and familiar styles, thus easily identifiable to the | | | | to collecting uncleaned coins however, is that |
| collector. Regarding later issues, the design | | | | there is a chance that the collector may stumble |
| becomes so simplistic that any deviations from | | | | across rare and even unique types. It is not |
| the original style are pretty evident to the | | | | uncommon for a collector to find an unpublished |
| average collector.ii) DisadvantagesCompared to | | | | coin type in a large uncleaned lot.ii) |
| Greek coins, Roman coins are not as diverse in | | | | DisadvantagesContrary to any claims by dealers, |
| styles and types. Also, arguably speaking, Greek | | | | uncleaned coins are "cherry-picked" 100% of the |
| coins on average exhibit greater artistic style. | | | | time. The coins have passed through several |
| Certainly the classical period features coins that | | | | hands usually, before they land in the |
| near perfection.Another disadvantage is that | | | | collector's.Also, larger uncleaned coins are almost |
| many emperors are simply beyond the collectors | | | | never in great condition.Well, that's it, hopefully this |
| reach, if not for their incredible expense, then for | | | | article helps you get on your way and forming |
| their immense rarity. For some emperors | | | | your collection. |
| empresses, a collector may have to wait years | | | | |