Coin Collection

Numismatics, or the study of coins, has been an interest of mine since I was a teenager. Like most coin collectors, I began with collecting pocket change and rummaging through coins hoarded by family members. I was first introduced to Ancient coins through my local coin shop, and it soon occurred to me that I could find Medieval coins as well (which in 1999 was already the direction my historical interest was moving). Since then, my interest in coins has been primarily a means through which to study history. I primarily collect coins from Medieval Europe, but also enjoy Ancient coins. I have added to my childhood US collection, and also began a collection of UK decimal coins after living in the UK for a time. Here, I will slowly add highlights from my collection (Mostly the Ancient and Medieval coins).

Ancient

Celtic

Celtic - South West British

The Durotriges (58 B.C.-43 A.D.)

Cranborne Chase Type AR Stater, 19mm x 5.95 grams

Ref.: SCBC 366, SGCV 172, (ABC 2160, VA 1238, BMC 2662, 2690)

Obv.: Wreath, cloak and crescents

Rev.: Disjointed horse left, rectangular head, body of crescents, four vertical legs, three roughly horizontal lines for tail, pellet below, twelve pellets above

The Celtic tribe of the Durotriges was centered in modern Dorset and Somerset.  Felicia and I traveled to this region in July 2016.  Seeing the Tisbury Hoard of these coins in the Salisbury Cathedral Museum inspired me to obtain this coin.  2017 Top 10, #3

Greek

Greek - Attica

Athens c. 454-404 B.C.

AR Tetradrachm, 24.69 mm x 17.24 grams

Ref.: HGC 4-1597, SGCV 2526 (Kroll 8)

Obv.: Helmeted head of Athena right, with frontal eye

Rev.: AΘE right, Owl standing right, head facing, closed tail feathers, olive spring and crescent to left, all within inches square

Note: Slight die wear, tiny flan flaw on obverse

There is probably no coin which is more emblematic of Ancient Numismatics than the Athenian Tetradrachm. This particular style (Groups I-III) were struck after the Athenians seized the treasury of the Delian League, used the treasury to mint these coins, and the proceeds were used to rebuild the Parthenon after having been destroyed by the Persians. Its a marker of the start of the Athenian Empire, and in many ways, the Start of the Peloponnesian Wars as well.