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

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

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.

Hellenistic Kingdoms

Alexander the Great’s conquests changed the world by bringing Greek culture to the East, influencing Indian art and religion. The creation of a wide-ranging trade network influenced not just the economy, but also Greek Philosophy which tried to come to grips with this wider world. These Tetradrachms were used as payments for Alexander’s soldiers, and their design would become a wide-ranging standard for centuries afterwards. The variety with Zeus’ legs uncrossed typically signifies that it was minted during Alexander’s lifetime, and there has been speculation that the image of Herakles on the obverse is also a depiction of Alexander.

Judea

While this coin itself has no historical significance, its mintage during the reign of procurator Pontius Pilate speaks to its significance. Pilate was the Procurator who oversaw the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, and the date of this coin being 29/30 A.D. means it was minted and in circulation shortly before the death of Jesus. It is possible (though unlikely) that either man held this coin in their hand.

Persia

The Achaemenid Persian dynasty likely began minting coins after taking over the kingdom of Lydia. While Cyrus the Great conquered the Lydians, it seems the reforms of Darius may have been responsible for Persian production of coins, but even then the vast majority of the silver ‘siglos’ were minted in the west, particularly from the city of Sardes which had once been the capital of Lydia. This one was minted sometime during the reigns of Darius I to Xerxes II, and would thus be representative of the Persians during the Greek and Persian Wars.

Medieval

Early Medieval

These “counter marked” coins of Roman Emperors and somewhat of a mystery. There are two varieties, with ‘LXXXIII’ (this coin) or ‘XLII’ carved on the obverse, usually to either side of the bust. The prevailing theory is that these were ‘chiseled’ (rather than an actual countermark) by the Ostrogoths some time during Justinian’s reign due to their being found with Justinian era coins, and the numbers carved roughly equal Byzantine denominations (83 Nummi being equal to 1/3 a Siliqua). The 83 Nummi were almost all carved on Sestercii, and are the rarer of the two types. I suspect these were made as emergency change, much like Condor or Hard Times tokens of the 19th century.

The Low Countries

This is an interesting “archaic” portraiture that can be found on some of the early coins of the Low Countries. The portrait was clearly made with a series of punchmarks which would normally have been used for making letter shapes. William de Ponte was a bishop under King Henry IV (before he became the Emperor), and supported the King in the Investiture Conflict.