A very small number of collectors turn to ancient and Byzantine coins and an even smaller number to coins of the foreign conquerors of Greece. The reasons why collectors are wary of these latter coins are to be found:
(a) In the prohibitions, the limitations and the ambiguities in the laws in force for all ancient coins.
(b)In the strange indifference, even abhorrence, felt by Greeks for anything mediaeval. It is this mentality that was behind the destruction of many Prankish and Venetian castles, removed all traces of whole mediaeval cities like Chalcis, and today allows to fall into ruins all that were saved from "progress".
(c) In the absence of assistance in the Greek language, not only in the specialized field of numismatics but more generally in that of history. But much as we would like to close our eyes to this period of five hundred years when westerners ruled over small or large parts of the Greek world, it had a great influence on the fate of our Nation.
With this book I wanted to give collectors the opportunity to get to know the rich and interesting coinage of this period. At the same time wanted to give a picture of modern Greek coins that would be something more than a commercial catalogue.
I believe that for the true collector every coin, whether rare or common, expensive or cheap, is a small, vibrant piece of history and that when he holds it in his hand it is particularly moving. He needs to familiarize himself with the period, the events and the personalities linked to this coin. I therefore felt it was necessary for each numismatic period or region to be linked to its historical context and I have tried, through small notes, to satisfy this need, even in the most elementary fashion.
