CoinTalk ancient-coin threads (After you finish with this page, a second page of more-recent links is here.)

Excerpted from the most recent 100 pages of CT's ancients forum, August 16, 2019. They are a personal selection from the 2000 threads posted from Feb. 5, 2019 to August 16.  Many topics are not addressed on this page, but CT has a good search engine and you can probably find posts on any topic you have in mind. For current threads, see here: https://www.cointalk.com/forums/ancients/ .  Search at the upper right.

  Threads are linked to because, in my opinion, they
1)  Illustrate a collectable theme 
2)  Respond to concerns many collectors have
3)  Go deeper into some interesting topic you have heard of but don't know much about 
4)  Have an especially informative initial post

They are catagorized as for Beginners, about collecting, about general Roman, about Greek, about both Roman and Greek, Roman Republican, Roman imperial, particular emperors, Roman provincial, Byzantine, Medieval, some of my own threads, mythological types on provincials, Byzantine for specialists.  

 


Threads for beginners:

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/where-to-begin.339487/

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/for-beginners-who-ask-what-should-i-collect.308319/

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/how-should-i-start-an-ancient-coin-collection.299668/

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/how-do-you-start-collecting-ancients.280605/

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/how-do-i-get-into-ancients.276260/


https://www.cointalk.com/threads/how-to-buy-ancient-coins.336971/
 


Collecting

Why do you collect ancient coins? (A few CT members answer)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/why-do-you-collect-ancient-coins.342689/

Coin Storage:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancient-coin-collection-storage.328417/
and
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancient-storage-solution.335777/

Slabs and price:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/slabbing-detrimental-to-the-price.340080/

Slabs and cracking out coins:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancient-coin-brethren-rejoice-with-me-for-the-day-of-liberation-draweth-nigh.338078/
and
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/tonight-theres-gonna-be-a-jailbreak.334749/

Grades of ancients and the point of view of US-coin collectors
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/how-do-i-talk-to-a-slab-person-about-ancient-coin-grading.336115/

Coins with excellent patina:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/post-your-coin-with-a-great-patina.333112/

Book recommendations:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/my-ancient-history-book-purchases.337502/

Does collecting cause looting and hurt scholarship?  (Spoiler alert:  Collecting helps, not hurts, scholarship)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/is-ancient-coin-looting-financing-isis.304348/

Coin cleaning (I do not recommend cleaning coins, but if you do it, read about it):
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/coin-cleaning-when-is-it-ok.341559/
and
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/cleaning-question.334946/

Buying coins: quality, "problems," and price
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/considering-buying-a-coin-with-problems.333612/

Rarity. Does rarity make you pay more?
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/rarity-what-makes-you-pay-more.333623/

How do you display your coins?
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/how-do-you-present-your-collection.328777/
and https://www.cointalk.com/threads/how-do-you-display-your-ancients.345162/

Fakes and how to spot them
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/types-of-fakes-and-how-to-identify-them.333196/


 


Roman:

The "Twelve Caesars" (first century) type set (one of the most famous Roman-coin collecting themes)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/12-caesars-walk-into-a-bar-the-guy-at-the-counter-says.335714/

A coin of each emperor in a very long thread, with CT members posting their coins in approximate chronological order
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/lets-march-through-time-with-roman-imperials.327939/


The "hut" type of FEL TEMP REPARATIO coins of the reform of 348 AD (a common type with lots of varieties to collect): 
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/fel-temp-reparatio-hut-type.259251/
especially the long comment of Gavin Richardson on page 3 and responses to it.
Additional "hut" posts:  https://www.cointalk.com/threads/this-fel-temp-barbarian-and-hut-type-has-been-around.343056/

Campgates (a common and commonly-collected late Roman type)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-thread-honoring-%E2%80%9Ccampgates-%E2%80%9D-post-yours.342067/

Coins in particularly good style, according to their owners
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/unusually-well-rendered-for-the-type.334751/

Late Roman AE coins. CT members examples (but no overview discussion)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/your-best-examples-of-late-roman-4th-5th-cent-ae.337457/

Roman women on coins (little commentary)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/shes-a-brick-house-large-coins-with-lovely-ladies.334313/

Roman curule chairs (both Republican and Imperial):
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-roman-curule-chair-challenge.341801/


 


Greek Types:


Coins of Carthage
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/coinage-of-carthage.331967/

Wresters and slinger at Aspendos
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/aspendos-wrestlers.339951/


Macedonian Shields:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/helmet-down-shield-up-thats-the-way-we-like-to-fight.338410/


The horns of Ammon as a sign of divinity on Greek coins
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-horns-of-ammon.336605/

Some very early Greek types with one side having only a geometric pattern:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/chicken-waffles.333266/

The Trojan war and related coins:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/tales-of-troy-odes-to-the-iliad-and-heya-homer.335977/ 


 


Types on both Greek and Roman coins:


Culturally significant (famous) people who issued coins. This one includes people (like Queen Elizabeth I) up to 1600 and beyond. 
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/who%E2%80%99s-the-most-culturally-significant-person-in-your-collection-according-to-mit.310992/

Nudity on Coins
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/warning-nudity-viewer-discretion-is-advised.340752/


Gorgons (Medusa heads on Greek and Roman coins)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/oh-oh-here-she-comes-shes-a-man-freezer-or-a-gorgeously-gory-gorgonian-gallery.343313/

Small coins, Roman and Greek:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/how-small-can-these-things-get.340019/


Macedon's war with Rome
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/it-dont-mean-a-thing-if-it-aint-got-that-sling-and-other-coins-of-macedons-war-with-rome.340030/

A thread about good threads!  (Just like this web page)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancients-announcing-2019-cointalk-scholar-award.329942/

 


Roman Republican:

Tarpeia and the Sabine war of Roman Republican history:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-horrible-fate-of-tarpeia.342092/

Sulla (the famous Roman Republican dictator), Marius and an Anonymous denarius
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/sulla-marius-and-an-anonymous-denarius.342595/

Sulla post continued here:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/sulla-and-mithridates.343452/#post-3626882


Ships (Galleys) on Republican coins:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/look-both-ways-before-you-set-sail-on-a-tiny-boat-with-three-miniature-oarsmen.339326/

Aes Grave (Massive early Roman Republican cast copper types)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancients-the-evolution-of-roman-coinage-aes-grave.251602/

Political and Legal scenes on Republican coins (some discussion, but not a lot):
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/political-legal-scenes-on-ancient-coins.335136/

Biga (two-horse chariot) Republican coins:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/biga-in-full-action.334500/


Marc Antony and Octavia
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/marc-antony-and-octavia.333212/

 


Roman Imperial Reverse Types used by several emperors:

The Hercules Farnese, statues and coins:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-greek-artistic-masterpiece-on-roman-coins.344521/
another thread on it:  https://www.cointalk.com/threads/some-notes-on-herakles-farnese.339447/

LIBERALITAS (A Roman imperal reverse type used by many emperors)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/liberalitas.328632/

Priestly implements (a reverse type used many times)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/priestly-implements.327892/

Saecular Games (especially those of Domitian):
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/secular-games-domitian-denarius.339456/

Head of Serapis (on coins of the tetrarchy c. 300 AD)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/bring-me-the-head-of-serapis.269065/

The Roman patera (shallow dish used to pour libations at sacrifices). An extensive article on pateras. Then many members show examples on coins.
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-roman-patera-challenge.337956/


Roman Usurpers (lots of coin photos, not much commentary):
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/roman-empire-usurpers.320726/


 



Particular Roman Emperors:  (A search of CT will find many more)

Philip I (244-249) and the games and coin types celebrating the 1000th anniversary of Rome
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/philip-saecvlares.335829/

Valerian (253-260)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/valerian-an-epic-story-mostly-lost-to-history.333286/

Gallienus (253-268) "zoo" types:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/welcome-to-gallienus-jungle-weve-got-hippocamps-and-centaurs.337881/


Constantine (306-337) helmeted
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/constantine-ready-for-battle-or-if-the-helmet-fits-wear-it.334683/

Titus, Jewish War triumphal types (c. 71 AD)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-greatest-show-on-earth.334877/

Trajan Decius (249-251) holds a staff with a "draco," a symbol of Dacia:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/this-is-not-a-donkey-head.336071/

Roman emperor Trajan (98-117) builds a road:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/trajan-the-road-builder.335305/
other Trajan types, especially his aquaduct:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/genius-of-the-aqua.334064/


Helena (c. 330), mother of Constantine the Great 
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/helena.334745/

Agrippa, Admiral of Augustus
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/agrippa-coins.333938/

Faustina Sr. (wife of Antoninus Pius, 138-161)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/when-grade-condition-doesnt-matter-faustina-dupondius-with-veiled-bust.334230/

Septimius Severus (193-211)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/otd-197-ce-septimius-pulls-a-double-cross-out-from-under-that-beard-of-his.333467/

Diocletian and Maximian (c. 290). "Coded" antoniniani
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/conservator-avgg-an-interesting-variant-of-an-already-interesting-series.333802/

The tetrarchy and mini-theme sets
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/tetrarchal-portraits-and-mini-theme-sets.344370/


 

Roman Provincial Types:
 

Do you collect Roman provincials?  Why or why not?
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/do-you-collect-roman-provincials.335748/

Provincials that CT members think are artistic
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/who-says-provincial-die-engravers-werent-talented.333067/

Serapis (The Egyptian god) on coins
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/depictions-of-serapis-in-antiquity.332760/

Coins from Antioch with Tyche and River god are common:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-so-called-tyche-of-antioch.334772/

River gods (mostly on provincial coins)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/some-notes-on-river-gods.335501/

A type of Zeugma in Commage is common. Does it show a courtyard or a mountain?
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/mountain-not-a-courtyard.324110/
Another thread on the same type:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/phillip-zeugma.337278/


The (extensive and well-illustrated) story of the Egyptian phoenix. 
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/some-notes-on-the-egyptian-phoenix.335824/


Argaios - the holy mountain of Cappadocia. An extensive article.
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/argaios-the-holy-mountain-of-cappadocia.335685/


Coins with Pegasus:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/fly-me-to-the-moon-and-let-me-play-amongst-the-pegasus.341663/


Julian's Bull type:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/julian-the-beard-and-the-bull.341242/

Sphinx on coins:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancients-the-great-sphinx.250571/

Collecting eccentricities--concerns about details
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancients-specialties-within-specialities.232945/



 


Byzantine:

Random Byzantine coins CoinTalk members own:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/post-your-byzantine-coinage.338941/

(I started this thread) The story of how Romanus I reigned within the reign of Constantine VII:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/constantine-vii-replaces-romanus-i-byzantine.337736/

Byzantine trachy (cup-shaped coins) from the late empire:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-father-and-son-duo.282682/

 


Medieval:

Coin books on Medieval coins reviewed:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/fitzs-medieval-book-review.286343/

Artistically refined coins of the Middle Ages - CT members show some they own
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/artistically-refined-coins-of-the-middle-ages-show-yours.324389/

Medieval - The Champagne Fairs. The region which lends its name to the drink would be an important area for trade long before it was famed for alcohol. It issued coins.
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/medieval-the-champagne-fairs.290610/

Jacques II de Lusignan and the end of Lusignan rule in Cyprus, c. 1460 (Historical article illustrated with coins)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/jacques-ii-de-lusignan-and-the-end-of-lusignan-rule-in-cyprus.304529/


Coinage of the House of Stuart
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/coinage-of-the-house-of-stuart.332804/

 


Some of my own threads:

Tetrarchal portraits and mini-theme sets:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/tetrarchal-portraits-and-mini-theme-sets.344370/

Revese types unique to a particular emperor (announcing my web page, with many CT members showing other coins that fit the theme):
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/reverse-types-unique-to-a-particular-roman-emperor.334110/

 


Provincial mythological types.

These are throughly researched articles on the mythology of a (usually) single provincial type. They are very well done by one CT member (you can search CT for more of his posts). The chances you have one of these coins are slim, but the articles show you that many provincial coins are remarkably interesting and worthy of research.  He starts out some of this posts "Dear friends of ancient mythology." 

Amazons
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-amazons.333932/

Centaurs.  Cheiron, the wise kentaur

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/cheiron-the-wise-kentaur.333864/

The Rape of Persephone
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-rape-of-persephone.333626/

Nikopolis ad Istrum and its mountain god, Haimos
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/haimos-the-mountain-god.333684/


Astarte, or Ba'alat Gebal, the Lady of Byblos (city of the Bible)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/astarte-or-baalat-gebal-the-lady-of-byblos.334496/


Philoktetes, a minor character in Greek mythology (on a Greek AE coin):
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/philoktetes-the-story-of-a-lonely-and-tortured.343095/

Artemis with Child (on a Roman provincial coin)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/artemis-with-child.339824/

Telephos--son of Herakles
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/telephos-son-of-herakles.335450/

Dido--Founder of Carthage
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/dido-founder-of-carthage.335332/


The Lokrian Aias (with a Trojan war connection)
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-lokrian-aias.334999/
and
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-madness-of-aias-the-great.335007/

Sozon - The Phrygian Rider-God
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/sozon-the-phrygian-rider-god.333987/

 


For Byzantine specialists only:

The Classification of the Anonymous Class B Follis of Romanus III
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-classification-of-the-anonymous-class-b-follis-of-romanus-iii.335264/

Anonymous folles. Is there really a Class A3?
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/unusual-byzantine-anonymous-follis-help.335153/

 


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