Where to Begin

Dean's Favorite Coffee Table Book

100 Greatest Ancient Coins, by Harlan J. Berk and Kenneth W. Harl. If you're looking for a book that inspires you to collect, this is one of the very best. Rather than serving as a technical reference, it showcases some of history's most famous and influential ancient coins, explaining why each was selected and the remarkable stories behind it.

Beautifully illustrated and highly readable, it's the perfect book to browse whether you're just getting started or have been collecting for years. Don't be surprised if it adds several coins to your wish list.

Best for: Anyone who loves history and wants to explore the most iconic ancient coins ever struck.

Best Beginner Book

Ancient Coin Collecting (Volume I), by Wayne G. Sayles. If I could recommend only one instructional book to a new collector, this would be it. Wayne Sayles explains the fundamentals in a clear, approachable style, covering authentication, grading, attribution, buying coins, and the history of the hobby without overwhelming the reader.

The series eventually expands into six volumes covering more specialized topics, but Volume I is the perfect place to begin.

Best for: Anyone buying their first ancient coin.

Best General Reference

Handbook of Ancient Greek and Roman Coins, by Zander H. Klawans. This classic introductory handbook explains denominations, rulers, mints, and many of the basic concepts every collector should understand. Although some of the pricing and scholarship have naturally aged over time, it remains an excellent introduction and a wonderful companion to Wayne Sayles' books.

Best for: Learning the language of ancient coins.

References for Your Collecting Interest

Once you know which coins draw you in, one specialized reference can transform how you collect. Here are the standard works for each major area.

Best Roman Reference for Most Collectors

Roman Coins and Their Values, by David R. Sear. Sear's books are among the most respected references in Roman numismatics. While the complete series is extensive, collectors don't need every volume immediately. As your interest grows, these books become invaluable for identifying coins, understanding different issues, and learning the standard references used by dealers and auction houses.

Best for: Roman coin collectors.

Best Greek Reference

Greek Coins and Their Values, by David R. Sear. If Greek coinage is your passion, this is one of the best places to start. The book covers hundreds of Greek cities and rulers while remaining accessible to collectors who are still building their knowledge.

Best for: Greek coin collectors.

Best Biblical Coin Reference

Guide to Biblical Coins, by David Hendin. For collectors interested in Biblical, Jewish, and Holy Land coinage, this is widely considered the standard reference. It covers coins associated with the Old and New Testaments, including the Widow's Mite, Herod the Great, Pontius Pilate, the Jewish Revolt, Bar Kokhba, and many other historically significant issues.

The current edition includes updated research, expanded photography, and historical background that makes it valuable for both beginners and experienced collectors. If Biblical coins are your primary interest, this is the one book I recommend most often.

Best for: Biblical, Jewish, and Holy Land collectors.

Best Byzantine Reference

Byzantine Coins and Their Values, by David R. Sear. Byzantine coinage can seem intimidating at first, but Sear's reference remains one of the best introductions to the series. It provides historical context, identification information, and pricing guidance for collectors interested in the Eastern Roman Empire.

Best for: Byzantine collectors.

Best Islamic Coin Reference

Checklist of Islamic Coins, by Stephen Album. For collectors interested in Islamic coinage, Album's Checklist has become one of the standard references used throughout the hobby. Organized in a practical, collector-friendly format, it covers Islamic coinage from the earliest Caliphates through later Islamic dynasties. Many dealers and auction houses reference Album numbers when cataloging Islamic coins.

Best for: Islamic coin collectors.

What About RIC?

Sooner or later, most Roman collectors hear someone mention RIC, short for The Roman Imperial Coinage. RIC is the standard scholarly reference used by museums, auction houses, researchers, and many professional dealers.

However, it is not a beginner's book. Rather than teaching the basics of collecting, RIC assumes you're already familiar with Roman history, mintmarks, legends, denominations, and numismatic terminology. Because the series spans multiple volumes covering different emperors and time periods, many collectors purchase only the volume that corresponds to the rulers they collect.

Don't feel like you need to own RIC immediately. Most experienced collectors built their libraries gradually over many years.

Advanced References

As your interests become more specialized, you'll eventually encounter some of the hobby's most important scholarly references.

You Don't Need Every Book

One mistake new collectors sometimes make is thinking they need an entire shelf of reference books before buying their first coin. You don't.

Start with one good introductory book. As your interests develop, you'll naturally discover which references are most useful for the coins you enjoy collecting. Many experienced collectors eventually own dozens of books, but almost all of them began with just one.

My Recommended Starter Library

If you're just beginning your collecting journey, these are the books I'd recommend first.

Then choose the reference that best matches your collecting interests.

Build Your Library As You Go

You don't need to own every reference book to become a knowledgeable collector. The Collector Academy is designed to teach the fundamentals first.

As your collection grows, your library will grow with it, and you'll discover which specialized references best support the coins you enjoy collecting.

The best investment you can make as a collector isn't another coin. It's a good book.

History wasn't just written. It was minted.