August 13, 2015 – Spink has published a precious helper for all those who are not yet specialized in Byzantine Coins. The Beginner’s Guide shows how to describe and identify these interesting series.
Prue Morgan Fitts, The Beginner’s Guide to Identifying Byzantine Coins. London 2015, Spink. 133 p. with illustrations and drawings. Paperback. Spiral Binding. 18 x 24,5 cm. ISBN 978-1-907427-55-8. 20 GBP.
The Beginner’s Guide to Identifying Byzantine Coins by Fitts covers coins of the Eastern Roman Empire from Anastasius I (491-518) to Constantine XI (1448-1453) with an overview of the period of Diocletian in 284 to the succession of Anastasius I as an introduction to the coinage. It is not intended to be a scholarly book but rather a quick reference for coin identification. It does not cover the holdover aureus from the Western Empire, coins from the collateral areas of the Arab-Byzantine, or the coins of the Turks and other successors who produced coins of similar design. It also does not cover forgeries. Caveat Emptor.
This book is dedicated to, and specifically designed for, the beginning collector of Byzantine coins. Identification can be a challenge particularly with those coins which are the most affordable. You may have to begin with coins which have only partial legends and worn-off designs. Most coins carry enough information for you to unravel their identity. This book is full of clues that can help you turn your coin’s observable features into solid identification. It is the ideal supplement to Byzantine Coins and Their Values by David Sear.
You can order the Beginner’s Guide at the Spink website.
There, you also can purchase a copy of David Sear’s Byzantine Coins and their Values.