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I just won my first ever auction this weekend - got this beautiful Sulla coin, minted by L. Manlius Torquatus, at Artemide 59e. Those who have won coins at Artemide in the past ... what kind of wait am I in for here? EDIT: sorry the pictures are so enormous lol

Great, great post @DonnaML - you've convinced me! The vertical display is a great point. As I mentioned in my original post, being able to display the coins and see them readily is very appealing to me. Seeing your collection in the cases really confirms the value of this approach for me.

Helpful to have another testimony for Lighthouse. I've heard they're good! And 128 shoooould last me a while I hope. I'm still fairly new and my collection has 4 nice denarii (2 yet to even arrive in the mail...) and maybe 4 or 5 late roman bronzes worthy of display. That leaves me 120 to go! The rest can probably stay in a box in 2x2 flips 😄

Bump! I originally posted this at 3am EST so I think it may have been missed by a lot of folks Curious in any opinions! thanks

Hi All, So my collection is still quite small, but growing, so I'm starting to think more about the best ways to display it. I am currently keeping my coins in 2x2 flips, but it is becoming very clear to me that I'll prefer a tray. Being able to easily to handle and look at the coins is a big deal to me. I want to use lighthouse trays, most likely, because abafil is too expensive I'm considering a classic case such as this: Coin Presentation Case L including 4 coin trays – LIGHTHOUSE PUBLICATIONS. I think this is a safe way to store the coins, and with 128 slots would be more than enough for the foreseeable future. Classy and cool way to store the coins. Or - these smaller trays with plastic tops. The big advantage here is that you can see the coins readily, which would be cool for guests to see (without me stopping the show to show off my collection) and would probably entice me to engage more with the collection. Downside is these trays seem a little "cheaper" and less impressive: Coin boxes with square compartments – LIGHTHOUSE PUBLICATIONS Anyone have any opinions on this? Other quality brands are welcome if someone has a link to another good product. Just trying to figure out the right format or type of case.

Surely the dealers selling these coins would have some idea about who AK was and the scope/significance of the collection, no? Could just ask the dealers directly, and I know we have several professional dealers on the board here who might be in the know

Here's my favorite toned coin -- one of the first silver coins I bought for my collection:

wow, that's a bad one. that dealer deserves to be identified IMO, although I guess its possible they sold it as a forgery and it was then put to auction by someone else...

As a new collector, something I've realized is that people have different standards for what makes a coin desirable. The variables I think about (not necessarily in order) are: Historical significance (is there a good story?) Portrait Quality Reverse design (is it cool or unusual? is there a thematic fit with the issuer's reign/career/personality?) Overall Eye Appeal (artistic style, toning/patina) Condition (strike quality, degree of wear, completeness/legibility of legends, etc.) For me, I've noticed I place a below average premium on condition - relative to most other collectors I chat with, I'd rather have a slightly worn coin with a great historical story, a unique design, and/or very attractive toning than I would something that is in super sharp condition but otherwise less distinctive. Just thought it would be interesting to hear how everyone else thinks about these tradeoffs! Obviously, there is no right or wrong way to collect so I am sure we have a diversity of opinion here.

Wow, what a great thread. Hoard coins are indeed the coolest... would love to obtain a few nice ones eventually

This is incredible! so cool. thanks for sharing this. having the additional context/information about the hoard is really interesting.

Wow, impressive sleuthing my friend! The catalogue of coins seems to match Burnett's assertion that government expenditure (specifically military pay) would be met largely with newly minted coins, but also older coins collected via taxation. This assumes the hoard is indeed straight from the treasury, but it would be strange for the hoard to have such a concentration of one coin type (~70% Caracalla antoniniani) if it were not, I think.

I am currently reading Coinage in the Roman World by Andrew Burnett, and he makes a really interesting reference to "the hoard from Lay in France". He says "...a specific example of a coin hoard probably contained in the official container in which it left the treasury (the hoard from Lay in France)...". I was really interested to read more about this hoard and hopefully see pictures of the container, but I am having a really hard time finding any info on it. Anyone have knowledge or links they can share about this hoard?? thanks

On a scale of 1-10 how good is Vagi's set? I got "Coinage in the Roman World" by Burnett and am really loving it... kind of craving another more comprehensive reference for emperor history and coinage, and I'm finding that really gets me excited about certain coins. Snooped around really hard and I think I can get a Vagi set for about $120

Cool coin! Also, hilariously enough, this post triggered in my memory that I had also entered a few drawings on CT weeks/months ago. ...so I went to check and I ALSO won something over there LOL, from Lordmarcovan. how funny is that? I might have gone another week or more without checking lol So thanks for help!

that's a big haul! Congrats. let me know if you want to resell the Nerva denarius I'm looking for one 😉

I had no idea he'd passed away. I'm currently listening to his course on The Roman Emperors (from late republic/Julius Caeser up to Constantine I) on Audible

Thanks @Alegandron, I'll investigate this option as well!

Great coins @DonnaML - I don't agree that mine outshine at all. I totally see what you mean about your emphasis on the portraits - both have fantastic detail... the Trajan is very august/regal with the laurel and flowing headband, and the Hadrian is a very, very classic looking Hadrian portrait. I love my Hadrian as well but it's one of his earlier mints and he looks a bit thinner and idealized - yours looks just like his famous busts and statues.

Has anyone read "Money and Government in the Roman Empire" by Richard Duncan-Jones? Not a coin collecting book per se, but as someone with a lot of finance and economics training I am really interested in this higher level, economics-focused review of Roman coinage. Wonder if it's any good?

Those are some great coins my friend. Love the presentation as well, do you catalog all your coins this way?

Wow - you weren't kidding. I'm in love with that Trajan portrait. Looks so dramatic and lifelike with toning providing some shading.

Fantastic username! I'll have to check out the website and some of the articles. thanks for posting.

That's a great compliment, thank you! I spent a ton of time looking for the right coins... glad you agree with my taste! You Hadrian is very nice as well, love the toning And yes I will definitely buy from Tom again. He has so much great stuff at decent prices, and I received my coins in Chicago only 8 or 9 days after ordering... pretty impressive.

LOL straight from the Rome Mint... that's some impressive provenance! Thanks man! That's exactly what my first collecting goal is - denarii of the 5 good emperors. I think this is a great start! Nice coins you have as well Thanks to everyone else for the kind words as well. Super pleased with the coins. I paid ~$70/each with shipping which is more than I originally wanted to pay, but after shopping around a lot it was clear that I'd get something that could be a really nice piece long-term at that price point, versus a lot of ~$50 denarii where there are more significant flaws (for these emperors at least, which have many coins but are also more desired/popular). Probably would have been a little disappointed with something like that down the road.