Interviewing... 'Classical Numismatics'
Interviewing... 'Classical Numismatics'
Interview #5, talking to a history nerd who likes to chat about coins. During the pandemic (with a lot of time on his hands), noticing a lack of quality ancient coin content on social media, he resolved to provide others with what he hadn’t had access to. Now, the ‘Classical Numismatics’ Youtube channel he set up has over 24,000 subscribers, helping beginners and experienced collectors alike with high-quality informative videos. He hopes to work full-time in numismatics one day…
Where did you buy your first coin?
Like so many beginners, I jumped on eBay the moment I found out you could buy something as old and cool as a Roman coin and just purchased some cheap LRB (late Roman bronze) lot. My first "real" purchase (after doing some minimum research for what I’d like) was a week later, at a coin shop in Barcelona.
What sort of coins do you collect?
My main focus is Roman Imperial and Hellenistic Greek. My collection is quite diverse; I'd like to have a small representation of most major numismatic issues of the ancient world, so you can even find Indian, Byzantine, Parthian, Sassanian and Kushan coins (a bit of everything) in my trays.
What’s the last coin you bought?
A Seleucid Drachm of Alexander I Balas (reigned 150-145 BC).
What advice would you give to someone keen to start collecting?
The internet has incredible resources which cover most of the pitfalls beginners fall in. Check out forums, Facebook groups, Youtube and specialised websites. Get in touch with experienced collectors and show them the kinds of coins you are interested in purchasing - people would be surprised how helpful their fellow collectors can be.
Have you ever made a mistake collecting (if so, what)?
I've let myself be carried away for a bargain more than once, only to end up with a fake coin. Fortunately in a couple of cases, the dealer accepted the coin back and returned my money. If you do your research on the average price of a coin, and all of a sudden some major bargain comes up that seems too good to be true, it most likely is.
What’s your dream coin (ie if you could have any, what would it be)?
If I had to choose one, it would be RIC III 233a (an aureus of Antoninus Pius). This coin was struck at an unprecedented period of peace and prosperity in the Empire, and reflects these unusually calm days. Antoninus is depicted as this serene, contemplative figure, and on the reverse we have an unpretentious show of power: that same calm, easygoing man holds the WORLD on the palm of his hand. And that was indeed true during his time. Rome was unchallenged, with the economic power, armies, and influence to enact its Pax Romana. Little did the Romans know that, in just a few decades, this golden age would come to an end.
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