A Decent book on ancient coins for a beginner?

rhound1977

I don't want to get into ancients per sey, but I am totaly ignorant on ancients, what would be a good book to cover the basics? I was thinking of one of the two below, comments thoughts suggestions? I don't want to start a multi volume library on ancients.

Thanks......

CIVITAS

Get both. They both have their merits, and the pair should cost you less than $40.00 (which is a lot less than most advanced ancients books). The Klawans is a classic, and the Sayles is one of the better introductory books.

Incidentally, we have both in stock.

lordmarcovan

I started with Collecting Roman Coins, by Kiely and Van Meter.

Pick up a copy if you can find one. Dunno if it is still in print or not. The one I have is a bit older, I think.

It's a relatively slim paperback and should be cheap if you can find one. Packs a lot of good info in, though.

BigAlan

The Sayles series is a good intro.

Askari

Klawans' is a good but very introductory book. Sayles' has the advantage in that you can add whatever volumes in the series that you want should something intrigue you in that 1st volume. There are five other volumes dealing with specific issuers and a final one that covers detecting counterfeits.

Aethelred

Glenn, I have both of those (and many others), I cut my teeth on Romans almost 20 years ago with the Klawans book which is a superb introduction to Roman coins.

rhound1977

Thanks everyone for the inputs, maybe I will get both.......

lordmarcovan

I got all my ancient coin books secondhand, from a certain Olde Dead King...