Where do I start

[tmacew]

Hello everyone. I am just beginning a collection of Constantine I era coins, and while I have a strong background in the history of the period, I have absolutely no background in coinage. Can anyone recommend where I can begin my research into the basics? I need to start from scratch in terms of grading, mint marks, types of metals, etc, etc, etc. In reviewing some of the posts on this site, I see that I am in the right place to learn, as many of the discussions are on topics I would enjoy, once I get up to speed. Any advice on a starting point, either online or in print would be helpful. Thank you.

[vozmozhno]

Here's a good page to begin with:

http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/

Voz

[tmacew]

Thank you Voz. I did come across that site and it is very helpful for my particular interests. Can you recommend any other references that can maybe help me with more of the basics of Roman coin collecting?

[hieron]

Get Waynes Sayles books on ancients collecting. You can acquire them at their site on Vcoins www.vcoins.com . It's Sayles and Lavender. They are not limited to Constantinian era coins, but have lots of good general info. Also, Roma Numismatics has a lot of nice Constantinan coins for sale right now. -hieron

[BeastCoins]

Thank you Voz. I did come across that site and it is very helpful for my particular interests. Can you recommend any other references that can maybe help me with more of the basics of Roman coin collecting?

I've written quite a lot on Constantinian coinage, since I collect it myself. Here is my base page on Roman Imperial coins so you can get a feel for what denominations were around when (yes, I know the images are broken at the bottom of the page. I'll fix them on my next update)

http://www.beastcoins.com/RomanImperial/RIC.htm

If you run across a Constantinian era coin you need attributed, just post an image and someone here will take care of it for you if possible.

Here is my RIC VII page so you can start to get a feel for the various bust types as there are a lot of them during this period. I don't have images of all of them yet, but it's a start for you.

http://www.beastcoins.com/RomanImperial/VII/VII.htm

If you aren't all that familiar with deities and personifications on Roman Imperial coins, my page on that topic may be of some help as well.

http://www.beastcoins.com/Topical/Deities/AncientDeities.htm

Also, I stock a wide range of very nice Constantine material, such as this piece (which some dealers would call FDC, but it's not)

http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/beastcoins/store/catalog/Z6339.jpg

Constantine I, AE3, 325-326, Cyzicus, Officina 5
CONSTAN_TINVS AVG
Laureate head right
PROVIDEN_TIAE AVGG
Campgate with seven rows, two turrets, no doors, star above, top and bottom rows empty blocks
SMKE . in exergue
18mm x 19mm, 3.22g
RIC VII, 34
Grade: EF, sharp strike, mostly silvered

I also am putting material on eBay starting at 99 cents with no reserve, so you can always pick up bargains there.

http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/beastcoins/store/catalog/Z5539.jpg
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290283704259

Constantine I, AE3, 325-326, Cyzicus, Officina 2
CONSTAN_TINVS AVG
Laureate head right
PROVIDEN_TIAE AVGG
Campgate with seven rows, two turrets, no doors, star above, top and bottom rows empty blocks
SMKB . in exergue
19mm, 3.48g
RIC VII, 34
Grade: EF, much silvering remaining

Welcome to our forum and to collecting ancients!

--Zach Beasley

[tmacew]

Thank you all. I appreciate the welcome and am thankful for the help.