Ancient Coin Collecting

by Wayne G. Sayles

Book Overview

Numismatists, historians, and everyone interested in collecting ancient coins will be engrossed in this revised and expanded second edition. This must-have volume explores new developments in research... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 087341442X
• ISBN13: 9780873414425
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Krause Publications
• Length: 197 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

The key to a totally different world of coin collecting

As a collector over 30 years on Chinese and modern world coins, it's an adventoure for me to probe a totally different field of coin collecting - the western world ancient coins. What I need most is something to show me the way, to give me an outline, to guide me to the right direction, as well as to keep me interested at the unfamiliar new world.This book serves my needs exactly as it starts with very basic but substantial introduction to the ancient western cultures which are not familiarized by an oriental like me. Then there are good references provided, among them I appreciated most the last part of Chapter II, "Ancient Coins and the Internet", and also Chapter VI, "Numismatic Literature". Those information show a beginner to a broader view and an easier access in continuing his collection interest.I would say the most fancinating part of this book is surely Chapter VII, "Identifying Ancient Coins". It's systematically arranged thus I can get a clear picture of different categories of ancient coins, together with fundamental history background of the coin issuers. That is, indeed, far more interesting than just reading a coin catalogue.For anyone who intends to start ancient coin collecting, this is the book to start with.

Excellent introduction

This is an excellent book that I wish I had found years ago. Mr. Sayles is an acknowledged expert in the field of ancient coins and writes in a style that is understandable and informative. The author does not assume that you know anything, about ancient coins, or the civilizations that minted them or even collecting coins at all. Therefore, the book is full of history, minting techniques, places to find coins, identification methods, and how to collect. Every area includes bibliographies that gives you a starting point to go more in depth in your research. It's exactly what an introduction should be. There are only two things I would have changed. The pictures are in black and white, with none in color (except for the cover). A few pages of color pictures would have been greatly appreciated. And secondly, there is a suggested list, of easily available and reasonably priced coins to begin a collection, of Constantine the Great. I only wish two or three similar lists had been included for other areas and times. Taken all together, it can only be said that, this book is EXCELLENT and highly recommended. It is also the first of six books, the other five specializing in different areas and times. I'm looking forward to reading them all.

Great Single Volume Introduction To The Hobby

In about 200 pages with over 200 photos in 10 chapters and 6 appendixes, Wayne Sayles masterfully brings together in his own unique and engaging style a wonder ful introduction to the ancient coin collecting hobby. The writer is the former publisher of the most popular magazine dedicated to the hobby of collecting ancient coins is written from the vantage point of an enthusiastic collector who knows.The first chapter is a general history, the second forms the core of the 6 volume series - it outlines the Greeks, Romans, Roman Provincial, Romaioi ( Byzantine ) and Non-Classical cultures who made the coins that are part and parcel to the ancient coin hobby. The third speaks to the Antiquarian tradition, the fourth and fifth are sort of "news you can use" about clubs, shows, the market and the emerging internet's role in this hobby as well as other topics. Chapter six is about coin literature which is this author's strong suit as a former numismatic publisher and it lists by specialty a good bibliography of books to buy that are the standard references for that section. The seventh chapter goes into great detail about identifying ancient coins and is copiusly illustrated and chock full of easy to read tables, charts and lists that are in eye friendly fonts, some books make you squint but not this one.The eighth chapter chapter is more of the "news you can use" sort of info, it is focused on how to collect. Mr. Sayles shows some ways to collect thematically and tackles cleaning, slabbing, grading and authentication. The ninth chapter talks about aesthetics - the coin as a work of art. The tenth and last chapter ( one page really ) speaks to the hobby's former problem of it being a "Robinson Crusoe" hobby, the loneliness that used to be felt until the advent of the internet.This book is full of personality and avoids the snares of some other introductory works like lengthy quotes printed in dead languages, eye reddening fine print and a lot of obtuse verbosity in general. This book could be just as easily digested by a precoscious 6th grader as it could by a seasoned classical coin lover steeped in years and experience. My only wish is that when it goes into a second edition that it include some topical index in the rear for speedy reference that more traditional reference works have. Otherwise this book is extremely well executed and it will be a long time before this book is replaced by a worthy successor. Mr. Sayles has done well by the hobby with this book.