Roman nobles fascinated by Greek culture collected ancient Greek coins and antiquities during the reign of Augustus Caesar, when the art and science of numismatics began. There is no record of collecting ancient coins during the Dark Ages, but Renaissance magnates beginning with Petrarch collected portraits of emperors on Roman coins. Their willingness to pay high prices for fine portrait specimens led to the first numismatic imitations, Paduan medals struck by Cavino and other medalists of the time.Different coin types attract different personalities. Ancient Greek coins fascinate collectors drawn to their artistic merit, while among ancient Roman coins, early Imperial issues attract those prizing realistic and imposing portraits of emperors and their families. Ancient Persian coins have special meaning to collectors interested in the history, culture and religion of Iran. Further East, the successors of Alexander struck unusual and attractive Indo-Greek coins in Southwest Asia. Ancient coins were issued in many metals: gold, silver, electrum (a natural gold-silver alloy), brass, bronze, billon (debased silver), potin, lead and even nickel. Ancient gold can be expensive, although some issues (notably those of the Byzantine Empire) are very reasonably priced. Ancient silver coins are normally well preserved, on the other hand bronze coins often circulated for long periods and many examples show considerable wear, as well as the effects of chemical changes.
Biblical coins attract those interested in early Christianity and ancient Jewish culture. Such collectors may desire to find a "Tribute Penny" denarius of the emperor Tiberius, a "Widow's Mite" lepton, a "Thirty Pieces of Silver" shekel or coins of historic personalities such as Herod and Pontius Pilate that they can buy online. All of these biblical coins may best be appreciated when presented in their historical context -- the special theme of Classical Coins.
Numismatic literature, in addition to its informative content, is also a significant collecting subject. Elegant engraved illustrations of Greek and Roman coins in early numismatic books are treasured today by collectors. Catalogues offering ancient coins for sale, either at fixed prices or at auction, are also an important source of reference information and die study illustrations for ancient Greek coins, Roman coins, Biblical coins and Persian coins. Such catalogues sometimes become primary references, for example the Pozzi and Shore sale catalogues.
Classical Coins offers a wide selection of numismatic books, monographs, sale catalogues and other references that you can buy online through our website. These can be good investments, since they recently have been appreciating even faster than the coins they describe.
