Been wanting to collect ancient coints for a while--finally figure out a category
 

I've been wanting to collect ancient coins for a while; as purely a hobby. I've never been able to decide on a category and didn't want to start buying without a plan--then today it struck me. During the latter part of the Roman Empire, they started to debase their Au and Ag coins. These coins became worth less and less because as the debasement continued there were more and more of the coins (becoming less scarce) and they contained less precious metal (not backed by intrinsic value).

This is one of the primary reasons that Rome fell.

I'm going to start collecting these coins to remind myself and demonstrait to others the story of how a great nation/empire can fall due to the inflation/printing of currency.

Re: Been wanting to collect ancient coints for a while--finally figure out a category
 

Interseting. But wouldn't that make them less collectible (no AG or AU), and also more susceptible to counterfiting? I'm asking because, I too have a budding interest in possibly collecting Roman coinage..and don't have the faintest idea where to start.:bawling:

Re: Been wanting to collect ancient coints for a while--finally figure out a category
 

You could collect american or british coins and over a period of a 100 years you could show people how much they have debased the coins.

Re: Been wanting to collect ancient coints for a while--finally figure out a category
 

There is still some precious metal in them. I.E. 24 Karats went to 20 Karat went to 18 Karat went to 14 Karat went to 10 Karat over the space of 100-150 years (I don't know what the exact metal % was but you get the point).

Re: Been wanting to collect ancient coints for a while--finally figure out a category
 

I would but I have an interest in Greek, Roman, and medieval history anyway and the ancient coins are generally much cheaper. This is purely a hobby. If I was trying to do this for investment purposes (good luck with that) I would stick to American Coins.

Re: Been wanting to collect ancient coints for a while--finally figure out a category
 

Ancient coins are pretty neat. I have several in my collection. Try Ebay for Ancients at reasonable prices. I have been able to add a few of the silver and bronze Roman coins to my collection by shopping on Ebay but the gold coins seem too expensive. Just the fact that these coins are approx 2000 years old is incredible enough to want to have a few in your collection. Just think of the history behind these coins...

Re: Been wanting to collect ancient coints for a while--finally figure out a category
 

I really don't know what I'm looking at on Ebay. Plus I'm afraid of getting suckered. I would rather go to a knowledgeable dealer; one of my dealers (that I semi-trust) back in Missouri dables in ancient coins but I don't know near engough about them to go at it myself. Although the prices on ebay do look pretty darn cheap.

I know what your saying about the history. I may even decide to collect something else entirely. On ebay, you can get some Roman antiquities (common stuff) like small bottles and vases surprisingly cheap.

Re: Been wanting to collect ancient coints for a while--finally figure out a category
 

I'd start by reading up on the subject first.

Here's what looks to be an excellent introduction to the subject:

Ancient Coin Collecting by Wayne G. Sayles

It's been getting great reviews at Amazon as a terrific book for the beginner. Just scroll down the page to read them:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/087...lance&n=283155