How the art of numismatics began ( probably)

Roman nobles, fascinated by Greek culture, collected Greek coins  and  antiquities during the reign of Augustus Caesar, when the art and science of numismatics began.  Although there is no record of  coin collecting  during the Dark Ages,  Renaissance magnates beginning with a famous scholar Francesco Petrarca ( 14th c.) collected portraits of  emperors on Roman coins. Their willingness to pay high prices for fine portrait specimens led to the first  numismatic imitations,  Paduan medals struck by Cavino and other medalists of the time.

Different coin types attract different personalities.  While Greek coins fascinate collectors drawn to their artistic merit, Roman Imperial  issues attract those who prize their realistic and imposing portraits of emperors and their families. Persian coins have  special meaning to collectors interested in the culture and religion of ancient Iran, and the successors of Alexander issued unusual and attractive Indo-Greek coins in Southwest Asia. Ancient coins were struck in many metals: gold, silver, electrum (a natural gold-silver alloy), brass, bronze, billon  (debased silver), potin, lead and even nickel. Although ancient gold can be expensive, some issues  (notably those of the Byzantine Empire) are very reasonably priced. Silver coins are normally well preserved, however bronze coins often  circulated for long periods and many examples show considerable wear, as well as the effects of natural chemical changes.