Why this LRB Forum exists

[Victor]

On some discussion boards (mainly FORVM), I have seen many instances of people talking about Late Roman bronzes like they are lesser coins compared to Roman Republic or early Imperial etc. These people seem to think because some LRB's are cheap and/or common, none are worthwhile. These opinions are, of course, quite ignorant. I was just reminded of this when I saw this comment- "I think I'd be wasting my time offering her LRBs, she's past that before she even arrived." This was in reference to an 8 year old child who is too advanced for LRB's. The inference is that if you collect LRB's, you are not as sophisticated as a child. I don't even respond to posts like these, but I figured I would post a small rant here.

[seth]

I have a few collection focuses, ancient and medieval, and I think that late roman is one of the most interesting periods to research and collect from.

[Victor]

I think that late roman is one of the most interesting periods to research and collect from.

I would have to agree as I have spent the last twenty years researching the Late Roman era, which fueled getting my master's in history with an emphasis on the Medieval period

[livingwater]

I collect Biblical coins (Jewish, Holy Land,Roman Provincials of cities that St. Paul visited) and I also collect LRB.  Nothing wrong at all with collecting LRB.  I am not rich like some collectors.  I can't afford $5,000+ Greek or Roman coins.  My collection would be very small if I only bought expensive coins and on my budget expensive to me is a coin over $200.  I have a lot of fun buying coins in the $10 to $100 range. I'm sure most dealers appreciate lower end collectors like me to support our hobby. If some want to ignor LRB because they are too high brow, I feel sorry for them missing out on all that history and artistry.

[Genio popvli romani]

What a pity, I have just discovered that I am less advanced than 8 5 year old child because my only real center of interest in numismatics is LRB (except a few paticular coins, no silver, no gold) from Diocletian (including aureliani from Lyon) to Julian II and everything referring to this era like books or publications. Sure, I am not insensible to other ancient and medieval coinages (principally merovingian) but none of these coinage makes me feel happy to get like LRB. I am proud to be a living proof of the adage : "beati pauperes spiritu" Not Matthew but the french locution "un imbecile heureux" 

Edit : What is more serious is that this kind of talk is insulting against certainly more knowledgeable (living or not) people than individuals who utter them. I think to O. Voetter, J. Maurice, A. Alfoldi,PM. Bruun, JPC. Kent, CHV Sutherland, P. Bastien, P. Ferrando,G. depeyrot, S. Estiot, JP. Callu, V. Drost,....

[Victor]

I'm sure most dealers appreciate lower end collectors like me to support our hobby.

I pretty much only sell LRB's on Vcoins and Ebay and am glad that there are other people that are also passionate about LRB's.

my only real center of interest in numismatics is LRB

What is more serious is that this kind of talk is insulting against certainly more knowledgeable (living or not) people than individuals who utter them…

Yes, my only real interest is also LRB's. Over the years I have collected all manner of Roman coinage but nothing interested me as much as LRB's.

I also found the comment quite insulting as I thought about the many noted numismatists that had devoted much of their lives in scholarly pursuit to LRB's. To casually dismiss the entire field struck me as equal parts arrogant and ignorant.

[Forum Ancient Coins]

On some discussion boards (mainly FORVM), I have seen many instances of people talking about Late Roman bronzes like they are lesser coins compared to Roman Republic or early Imperial etc. These people seem to think because some LRB's are cheap and/or common, none are worthwhile. These opinions are, of course, quite ignorant. I was just reminded of this when I saw this comment- "I think I'd be wasting my time offering her LRBs, she's past that before she even arrived." This was in reference to an 8 year old child who is too advanced for LRB's. The inference is that if you collect LRB's, you are not as sophisticated as a child. I don't even respond to posts like these, but I figured I would post a small rant here.

I certainly have never said anything of that sort and strongly disagree. I hadn't seen that comment until I found it just now. If I had, it probably would have gone right over my head. The idea is so absurd that I suspect I would not have understood what was meant and just moved on.

[Victor]

I certainly have never said anything of that sort and strongly disagree. I hadn't seen that comment until I found it just now. If I had, it probably would have gone right over my head. The idea is so absurd that I suspect I would not have understood what was meant and just moved on.

I am glad that you disagree, but others have certainly made disparaging comments about LRB's, the person that made the above comment has actually made several others, and that is one of the reasons, if not the main one, that I started this forum-- as a friendly place for LRB collectors.

[Alisdair]

I think it's hugely ignorant to dismiss the Late Roman Era and it's coins as something unworthy of interest. People perhaps have a cliché'd viewpoint of what is typically Roman, but they forget how dynamic the Roman Empire was and that it was never, ever, in a state of stasis - change was a permanent fixture, both in society and in coinage.

Another thing which riles me, and living in a rich town like Geneva I'm very exposed to this, is that some people see coins primarily as an investement, as opposed to historical objects to be studied. To the casual observer with a giant wad of cash, LRBs don't look very sexy and they are often dismissed by this crowd. That's a pity, but it's their loss and our gain, because it keeps prices reasonable. What I do find sad though, is when snobbish comments come in from people who should know better.

[Victor]

and another quote from a coin forum where an individual is talking about LRB's --

"I just read a draft of a book on late Roman bronzes that gave me a whole new perspective on what I thought were generally uninteresting coins."

...and someone thought that it was a good idea to have this guy read a draft on LRB's 

This person voiced what I have perceived that many in online coin communities feel...that LRB's are lesser coins. If he had bothered to read any literature prior to his apparently uninformed comment, he might have educated himself.

Of course, comments like these motivate me to keep this forum up and running, despite low member participation. I know many people look around on this board though, and if this forum helps raise awareness and appreciation for LRB's in any way, then I will continue the LRB crusade. 

[tjaart]

I must say that I really appreciate this forum, especially the interesting posts on rarer LRBs. For me it is really useful to find out about other LRBs outside of my rather specialised field of collecting. Despite not being able to participate as much as I would like to, I still visit every day to learn something new. I've also started to look out for the rarer LRBs on occasion as well as looking more at the finer detail of the LRBs.

So keep up the crusade!

Tjaart

[Doug Hill]

Victor, thank you for keeping this forum going. Its a Pleasure.

Doug Hill

[Coriel]

Victor, thank you for keeping this forum going. Its a Pleasure.

Doug Hill

I second that very much. I have learnt so much from this Forum, and though I haven't taken part very much, I'm so grateful for it's existence.
James Holt

[Victor]

Thanks all for the support, I expect to keep this forum going for a while yet.

[Joshmaggosh]

I must say that I really appreciate this forum, especially the interesting posts on rarer LRBs. For me it is really useful to find out about other LRBs outside of my rather specialised field of collecting. Despite not being able to participate as much as I would like to, I still visit every day to learn something new. I've also started to look out for the rarer LRBs on occasion as well as looking more at the finer detail of the LRBs.

So keep up the crusade!

Other than being particularly specialized in focus, I echo this statement. I have yet to contribute as much as I'd like but I do visit and learn something new nearly every day. Thanks for your work on this Forum and your webpage, they are both full of great information.

I have have a few coins I have questions about that I'll post soon, including a late Campgate with a great bust but no legend... similar to the coins in a recent thread. I'll post it when I can get some acceptable photos.

Josh