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A Compendium Of Reference Works
For The Beginning Collector
General References
Greek
Roman
Roman Republic
Roman Coins And Their Values - Millenium Edition by David Sear (ISBN 1-902040-35-X). 5th edition printed 2000.
1 volume (of 3) covering the Republic to the end of the 12 Caesars, 532 pages, many coin illustrations. Very good background material. The coverage of the Republic is extensive with numerous images. Available new.
Roman Silver Coins And Their Values by David Sear
Volume 1 Republic To Augustus(No ISBN). 3rd edition printed 1978.
1 volume (of 5), 166 pages, many illustrations, very little background material. Republic silver coins
only, no bronze. Unlike later volumes of RSC, volume 1 uses the identification system introduced by Babelon for Republican coins. The 2nd edition of this reference work differs from the 3rd in having drawn images which some collectors find easier to use. Available used.
Roman Provincial (Greek Imperial)
Ancient Coin Collecting Series by Wayne Sayles
Volume IV Roman Provincial Coins (ISBN 0-87341-552-3). Printed 1998.
1 volume, 198 pages, many type coin illustrations. Loaded with background information on the local coinage of the Roman Empire. This is not meant to be standalone reference and has little use for attributing individual coins. Available new or used.
Greek Imperial Coins And Their Values by David Sear (ISBN 0-900652-59-4). 1st edition printed 1982.
1 volume, 636 pages, relatively few illustrations. Sparse, 33 page background
information. Although this volume is badly in need of an update and expansion (which seems to be unlikely to happen in the near future) it is still the most affordable reference work to cover all of the emperors in the provincial series. Available new or used.
Biblical/Judean
Guide To Biblical Coins by David Hendin (ISBN 0-9654029-2-4). 4th edition printed 2001.
1 volume, 512 pages, 525 coins with frequent illustrations and 38 plates of coins. Extensive background information written in a very readable style. Covers Judean coinage from kings through procurators, the Judaea Capta series, city coins and includes a chapter on coins of the New Testament. Arguably one of the most frequently quoted reference works for Biblical and Judean coins. The 4th edition update includes corrections, additional information and (contrary to rumor) keeps the old numbering scheme by adding -a, -b, etc to fit in new coins. Available new.
Ancient Jewish Coinage by Ya'akov Meshorer (No ISBN). 1st edition published c. 1980.
2 volumes, 478 pages, 92 plates of coins. Considered a standard reference book for Judean coinage. Extensive background information and a large number of coins illustrated. WARNING: There were twice as many copies of volume I printed than volume II. Do not buy volume II separately because volume I is almost impossible to find alone. Available new or used.
Byzantine
Ancient Coin Collecting Series by Wayne Sayles
Volume V The Romaion/Byzantine Culture (ISBN 0-87341-637-6). Printed 1998.
1 volume, 197 pages, type coin illustrations. Very useful, extensive background information on Byzantine
coinage and the emperors. Includes a large 'Gallery of Emperors and Empresses' section with a short
biography of each and a type coin illustration. While not useful for specific coin attributions, it
can help to point you in the right direction for a specific emperor. Available new or used.
Byzantine Coins And Their Values by David Sear (ISBN 0-7134-7740-7). 2nd edition printed 1987.
1 volume, 526 pages, relatively few illustrations. Sparse, 34 page background information.
Compared to Greek or Roman, Byzantine coinage appears to be fairly static with individual rulers producing
relatively few coin type. Given that, this book does an adequate job of covering the series. Available new or used.
Other Useful
Classical Deception by Wayne Sayles (ISBN 0-87341-968-5). Printed 2001.
1 volume, 197 pages, 200 illustrations. An interesting look at ancient coin forgeries from ancient to modern times. It was not designed as a catalog of forgeries, an almost impossible task, but to give the reader a feel for the different types of forgeries/counterfeits/fantasy pieces created over the last 2000 + years. A good read and worth the price. Available new.
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