Greek Coin Art

Under the somewhat misleading title of his work, Dr. Peter Jones, with his characteristic British modesty, has hidden what is in reality actually nothing less than a charming tour de force succinctly exploring the entire field of ancient Greek numismatics. While it can indeed be viewed as an examination of artwork from the birthplace of Western civilization -- the imagery supplied by Dr. Jones' own exceptionally fine efforts in appropriate photography makes this clear -- it is in fact a compendium of the many aspects and by-ways of the field, clearly conveying why the collecting and study of ancient Greek coins has been a popular, fascinating and cherished pastime for hundreds of years.

Greek Coin Art begins with the "Grand Tour" of the field, discussing just what a survey of ancient Greek coinage entails, what is and what is not a part of the scope of the subject matter. In thirteen following chapters, Dr. Jones pursues the coins and the artwork they feature in what, since the eighteenth century, has come to be the standard arrangement of the various series of emissions. Moving circum-Mediterranean from the Hellenic colonies in the West, present day Spain and France, from the Italian "Greater Greece" (Magna Graecia), as the Romans called it, then on into the various regions of the ancient Greek-speaking world, and on to the issues of non-Greek neighbors who shared in the coinage traditions, he examines and explicates many of the most prominent series. And it is these examinations and explications that make this book particularly enjoyable!

Peter Jones is a true polymath! It was my pleasure and honor to first make his acquaintance years ago when, as a student in the American Numismatic Association's Summer Seminar, he took the class that I taught on coinages of the ancient world while I served as curator in charge of the Association's Money Museum. Peter became an outstanding numismatist and collector.

The host of lovely specimens upon which Greek Coin Art is grounded was personally assembled by him; however, his activity did not stop there. Part of the charm and delight to be found in this work lies in the meticulous side-investigations in which his wide-ranging knowledge and curiosity have been brought to bear. Strange features of the relevant religious mythologies and little-known cultural practices are interlaced into the narrative. One will learn about how the ancients actually counted numbers, and where super-fecundation appears in origin stories! As a medical Dr., Peter uses his clinical expertise to expand our understanding of that world in which Greek coin art flourished.

Important historical events and personalities are not neglected. The book contains a glossary of terms and a complete index and bibliography -- somewhat unusual in such a handsome volume that many would regard as a kind of "coffee-table book" -- and it also presents listings of on-line resources consulted in each section, which many modern-day readers would especially appreciate. I firmly believe that anyone having a chance to pass time with this book will come away with a feeling of having been amply rewarded.