Were u ever compelled to buy because of a love and art?

SwK

Dear members

What coin launched a feeling inside of you compelling you to acquire specific coins for there beauty and art ?

Can we build even what are the members dream coins to understand how art encourages us to react and if possible why?

My first coin is:
Sestertius 37-41, Æ AGRIPPINA M F MAT C CAESARIS AVGVSTI Draped bust r., hair falling
http://www.petitioncrown.com/


SwK
www.petitioncrown.com

OchoReales

For me, it's always been about the History first, second and third! Without the history behind the coin, I have little to NO interest! If it was first about the art, I'd collect paintings or sculpture! You question sounds more appropos for an Art Appreciation class.

SwK

U r correct without history few of us would collect. 2000 years ago I do not think there was
Internet and therefore the portraits and information on a coin was done by the finest artists
of the period and gave an insight to the individual and how politically he/she wished the people
to consider him.

I think the mention of art appreciation is a little HARSH

Maybe sometimes with enthusiasm the questions are not phrased or understood by everyone in the same way - one thing we all have in common is the love for numismatics

r
SwK
www.petitioncrown.com

laurentyvan

Let me answer in reverse.

Were I to encounter on a coin what inspired me in art,
say this chance encounter with the Spanish queen in this book,
I could not resist the purchase.

For me , it's almost always about the art
and the engravers art; appreciation can flow in both directions.

laurentyvan

If it weren't about the art then almost any number of 1970's and 1980's impossibly ugly Soviet commemorative coins would be very popular.

Worth oodles, I imagine?

They come with lots of history.

laurentyvan

What, no one wants to fight?

OchoReales

Art certainly has it's place in numismatics. I remember a letter that I received (and still have) from Dave Bowers (it's dated from 1977) where he told me as a YN to not look soley at coins for the monetary aspect, but to look at coins for their 'history, art and lore'. Having said that, I look at my coins from an art viewpoint AFTER I purchase from the historical aspect. I cannot quantify HOW I do that although I DO. The OP's question was, 'Were u ever compelled to buy because of a love and art?' My answer is, NEVER! I did push it a bit when I said, history first, second AND third. Art can take third billing, but my purchases come from my love of history (I graduated college, Phi Alpha Theta ((National History Society)) ). I DO enjoy the engravers art on my coins and that's where the visual appreciation comes in. But imagining my Bolivian coins in the hands of people from the 16th century onwards, is quite the RUSH! Who owned them. My 1736 8 Rele Royal (finest known or tied for the type) is a coin that defies explaining. And, it came out of Great Britian! Daydreaming about the pioneering Jews who fought to establish the State of Israel, owning the coins that I am now caretaker of, connects me with my people! Thinking about how the coins in my collection survived and who kept them through the years gives them the WOW factor. HISTORY compells me!!!

Silvereagle82

History and the art of the designer/engraver.
That's why I am partial to hammered gold ... particuliarly with a strong strike and full flan.

spoon

I'll go the compromise route: Often it is the artistic beauty of a coin that opens new realms of history to me.

For example, I have no personal or professional interest in Portugal (though it would be a nice place to visit), but the aesthetic appeal of their coins lead me to dig deeper into the history and culture.

And likewise, when I buy a Sassanid coin of Khusru II from the year of the Hajj for the historic connection to the rise of Islam, I'm quickly drawn in by the design and find myself further studying it's origins.

So, really, that's why I collect coins moreso than any of my other pursuits - where else can we find such depth in the marriage of art and history?

Silvereagle82

Well said Spoon

OchoReales

where else can we find such depth in the marriage of art and history?

Renaissance art (both paint and sculpture), antique and classic automobiles and philately (stamp collecting) come to mind (although the second two do not have the length of history as the first). Numismatics DOES hold the title for length AND depth of history.

SaorAlba

Circa 410 BC. Hemilitron (3.21 gm; 18 mm x 14 mm). Head of Arethusa left, hair in ampyx and sphendone, in field right, laurel twig; whole in linear circle / ΣΥΡΑ Dolphin right, below, pecten. Calciati II, 55, 24. SNG ANS 418. This piece, though unsigned, may have been created by one of the greats of Syracuse minting, as it displays superior skills in artistic approach and engraving.

SwK

No arguments a coin of amazing beauty as many of the Syracuse coins were "bravo""bravo""bravo""bravo""bravo""bravo"

Since I do not collect Greek I will settle for my Agripinna Snr

Sestertius 37-41, Æ AGRIPPINA M F MAT C CAESARIS AVGVSTI
Draped bust r., hair falling




SwK
www.petitioncrown.com

theboz11

Yes. It is the driver behind Theme collecting, Medals in particular.

FilthyBroke

Honestly, I buy for history and art. For example, hammered English coins have been an area of historical interest to me, but French jetons are so "different" and artsy that I just want to collect them for their eye appeal. I guess that each coin has it's own allure, whether it's history, art, or some other significance. They each have something to offer someone. Don't make me choose.

SwK

french jetons are art and great - no need to choose

swk
www.petitioncrown.com

cacheman

Although not a coin, this medal caught me by surprise in a P.Bosco advertisement I ran into while I was leafing through my Krause German coin book about six years ago. My first thought was, "What the Hell?" and I became immediately entranced as to who would make such a piece, and why? Little did I know at the time that this discovery would lead me down the path I am now on. Not only a historical path, but an artistic path too...German Expressionism...the only art genre the Germans can call their own,

The artist I collect has far greater talents than this piece exhibits but this was the one that introduced me to his work in the first place.