Kampmann, Ursula, and Thomas Ganschow. Die Münzen der römischen Münzstätte Alexandria. Regenstauf, 2008. 440 pp. (German text), coins illustrated throughout. (GI140) $75.
The numismatic history of Roman Alexandria is one of the most intriguing areas of study, attractive for both its highly–controlled, closed economic system, as well as its wide variety reverse-types that reflect Egypt’s historic, religious, and cutural traditions. Until now, interested collectors and scholars have been compelled to gather their information on this coinage from a number of disparate references, some of which are out-of-print and hard to find, like Angelo Geissen’s important publication of the Alexandrian coins in the collection of the University of Köln, or are works more dedicated to the specialized and advanced collector or scholar, such as Giovanni Dattari’s collection. Now, Ursula Kampmann and Thomas Ganschow, both well-known numismatists, have put together a comprehensive handbook covering the provincial issues of the Roman imperial mint of Alexandria from Augustus to Domitius Domitianus, as well as the so-called “nome” coinages. This work follows the same format as Die Münzen der römischen Kaiserzeit, the first handbook text by Kampmann, covering the Roman imperial coinage.
The arrangement of the catalog is intuitive: chronologically by emperor, then by regnal year within each reign. Each entry is cross-referenced to the primary references (RPC, Dattari, or Geissen [Köln]), and includes general price valuations for respective examples in Fine-VF and VF-EF condition. To assist the user, concordance lists to these primary references are also included, following the catalog, as well as an introduction with information on regnal dates based on the Egyptian calendar, denominations, types, and an overview of important episodes in the history of Egypt during the imperial period. A welcome addition, usually not seen in such handbooks, is a listing of contemporary provincial prices and salaries, which provides a tangible reminder that this coinage was used in daily transactions and may reflect the selection of particular types. A very helpful bibliography and listing of photographic sources provides information for further study. Although the text is in German, it is highly accessible to a non-German speaking audience, and should not deter even the beginning collector from adding this highly useful work to his library.
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