Science numismatics - what is it? Numismatics in Russia

The choice of numismatics as an interesting hobby usually grows into a lifetime affair. This is an exciting and interesting activity that allows you to collect works of art and study the history of each individual exhibit.

Science about the development of money

Numismatics studies money as objects that at different times had different forms and values. The value of the coin as a historical evidence was understood back in antiquity, but the systematic development of the study of coins began only at the end of the eighteenth century. Austrian priest Joseph Hilaryus Eckel wrote the Doctrina Numorum Veterum (Doctrine of the Ancients) work in eight volumes (Vienna, 1793-1799), where an attempt was made to examine all coins of ancient Greek and Roman coinage. After a while, Eckel's work was reworked by other researchers.

This gave impetus to the scientific phenomenon of numismatics. What is the study of the great numismatic collections, learned in Europe. The systematization of knowledge was started, catalogs appeared. From Austria to other countries, numismatics stepped like science to well-known universities under the supervision of experienced historians and archaeologists. In the late 1850's, antiquarian societies emerged with the specialization of "learning coins."

How to become a numismatist

Knowledge is the main tool for collecting coins. Along with them comes the desire for an in-depth study of the development of money in the world. Everyone can become a numismatist and engage in a pleasant and rewarding hobby. Numismatics is a science that studies how money developed over the years. To practice this fascinating business, you just need to start researching the technique of collecting coins. There are various organizations and associations to which you can join. But this is not necessary in order to consider yourself a numismatist. Once you have decided to learn and collect coins, you first need to learn that your collection will never be complete.

Interesting hobby

Start your new hobby, reading about different types of coins, study their history.

• Find out about the various materials from which coins were made.
• Study the causes and factors of the formation of their value. As you gain knowledge of history, you can learn that the value of an old coin does not always depend on its antiquity.
• Pay attention to the date of production of each coin and to additional information about its rarity.
• If the date is erased, the level of coin rarity is determined from the engraved image.
• It must be remembered that cleaning the coin can reduce its cost.
• Find out what is a "replica" in numismatics? Especially for numismatists make copies of coins with various finishes, characteristic of different epochs. I call these products a novelty. Sometimes this term is applied to fakes.
• Continuation of the study of the history and significance of coins.

What is a coin?

First of all, it is necessary to have an idea of the meaning of the very term "coin". This is a piece of metal or other material, certified by a sign that determines the nominal value. All these data are determined by documents that are issued by the executive power to issue money. The most obvious physical attribute of a coin is the material from which it was produced - it is almost always, up to the present, metal. In ancient times, even wood and bone were used. The metals selected for coinage must be in sufficient quantity to provide the mills with raw materials . The choice of material varied from culture to culture. In China, first the choice of metal fell on copper, in India - silver, in many countries used an alloy of gold and silver (electrum) or silver. Usually in the description of a coin the English terms are used, but standard catalogs almost universally apply abbreviations which derive from the Latin language. For example, A.V. (Aurum) is gold, AR (Argentum) is silver, AE (AES) is copper or its alloys. Coins made using the technology of pruff, for numismatists are especially interesting. What is proof in numismatics? On the absolutely smooth polished brilliant field of the coin is a matte legend made in contrasting color. The inscriptions are located at a right angle to the field, and often traces of polishing material are visible. During the production of the coin was made from two or more strokes. Collectors carefully store such exhibits in order to preserve shine and dullness.

How in ancient times did coins

Each ancient coin was produced by hand. Metal, whether bronze, silver or gold, is poured into molds to produce flanks - blanks. They were cooled, heated below the melting point and placed in a matrix. The image of metal for transfer to a coin was called a lot. The second lot in the form of an image was knocked out on the other side of the workpiece. The matrices were hand-cut and consisted of a pair of parts. Engravers had different qualifications, so coins of the same type may have stylistic differences from the coins of another series of issues. The names of coins often came from the name of the ruler or the technology of making money. In the question of the name "kopeck", numismatics believe that the name comes from the image on the obverse of St. George the Victorious with a spear, later appeared a simple rider, but also with a spear. It is believed that a small money was dubbed by the people in honor of the spear.

How coins are described in catalogs

In ancient times, a common method of making money was the coinage of coins of the specified weight from a certain alloy, which is called par value. It considers the numismatics that such a comparison of the weight of each series can determine the standard of coins, which can be significant for the chronology or attribution of a particular product. The field is the area on the surface of the coin around the inscriptions that provides the background. It is often divided into left and right. One of its parts has its name. This is the term that originates in the Greek language from the words "ex" and "ergon" and means belonging to the mint. There is a legend for the catalog. This term comes from the form of the Latin verb "lego", which means "for reading." It describes the content of the coin. The legend can indicate the authority that issued the document for coining, designate the mint, describe the inscriptions and images. Inscriptions and notations can surround or frame images and continue in the edge. As the numismatist says, such a complement is called attributes and adjuncts.

Do you need knowledge of terminology?

Ancient coins collect collectors for centuries. Longer than the present owners of these treasures. Many of the old coins on the market are sold to collectors by the heirs of other collectors.

Attribute or nimbus refers to the additions to the image in the form of a wreath or a diadem, a scepter or palm branch, drapery, headdresses, a branch, a cornucopia, a ball, a spear. The adjunct is usually on the field or in the inscription. In the description of the image is listed from left to right after the description of the central figure. Necessity of terminology is recognized by the numismatics that such a necessary division into the terms obverse and reverse or "eagle" and "tails" to the front and back of the coin helps to describe the exhibits. None of these pairs has anything to do with the technique of producing coins. It is important to know what is depicted on the face matrix and on its reverse part. The history of origin of coins and to whom they belonged earlier, can cost more than the collection itself. Especially if the exhibits came from a famous collector or from an auction.

What material is used in collections

Many ancient coins are found in the territory of controlled archaeological sites. Numismatics of Russia most of them demonstrate in museum collections. The ancient coins that are offered today in the market were found, mainly in the group of treasures. These are artifacts that were lost or buried in antiquity and were found by amateurs with metal detectors near archaeological sites. In ancient times there were no banks. Sensing danger, the owners of wealth simply buried them in the ground. Some countries forbid looking for ancient coins as a metal detector. In some states there are laws that allow seekers of such treasures to retain or sell part or all that they find, and this is the source of antiquities on the market today.