The book does as it says: it teaches you to read and date Roman Imperial coins. Features include an explanation of denominations and inscriptions, a table of names on coins relating to names in history books, common reverse figures, mint marks and a list of all emperors with a paragraph on their life and a picture of one of their coins. Two tables on dating and a bibliography round out this book. Not a catalog, not for advanced collectors, fun for anyone else, including non-collectors who have an interest in ancient artifacts.