Ancient Roman coinage was a significant facet of the currency of the Roman Empire, starting with the first ancient Roman coin (the silver didrachm) minted in 326 BC. Spanning hundreds of years, ancient Roman coins developed significantly, marking momentous events, cultural shifts, and power dynamics.

The legacy of ancient Roman coins is still seen in modern coinage, including the shape, designs featuring important figures, and inscribed denominations. Like our coins, ancient Romans used materials like gold, silver, copper, and bronze along with developing striking techniques that inspired the ones we use today.

Modern coin collectors buy Roman coins for their historical significance, rarity, artistic designs, and investment potential.

FAQs

What periods do ancient Roman coins cover?

Ancient Roman coins for sale span across three or four main periods:

> Republican Period (500 BC to 27 BC)
> Imperial Period (20 AD to 360 AD)
> Western Roman Empire (405 AD to 480 AD)
> Eastern Roman Empire (405 AD to 1453 AD)

Scholars differ on which period was the “last” of the Roman empire, ranging from the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD to the fall of the Eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire (and rise of the Ottoman Empire) that commenced with the last reigning Roman emperor Constantine XI’s death in 1453.

What are the denominations of ancient Roman coins?

Throughout ancient Rome’s history, various coin denominations were used and often altered. Some of the most important ancient Roman coin denominations to know are denarius, decadrachm, didrachm, tetradrachm, as, sestertius, quinarius, antoninianus, and aureus.

Are there any historical figures commonly depicted on Roman coins for sale?

Absolutely. Most early ancient Roman coins depicted dead ancestors, but Julius Caesar started the long-lasting trend of depicting living individuals by putting himself on coins during his reign. Most Roman coins for sale depict the emperor of its time, often in a god-like image, on their obverse.

Thanks to his many developments in minting and longer reign, Constantine I (AKA Constantine the Great, who ruled from 306 to 337 AD) is on most ancient Roman coins for sale. Rare coins to find are any with Western Roman emperors, particularly Caligula or Caracalla (who issued the infamous Antoninianus).

Are there any notable features to identify different Roman coins for sale?

Different ancient Roman coins can be identified by their composition, size, and design. Typically, the figure on the obverse and any inscriptions can give you a clue to the time period.

Around the portrait, you’ll usually see “IMP” meaning Emperor, followed by the emperors name and often description (e.g. “TI CAESAR” for Tiberius from 14-37 AD or “CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C” meaning “Constantine the Younger, Noble Prince, Caesar” for when Constantine II was junior emperor under his father).

What are the most valuable Roman coins?

Collectors look for specific ancient Roman coins for different reasons, from historical significance to monetary value to rarity. Combining these factors, some of the most valuable ancient Roman coins for sale include the bronze Titus Colosseum sestertius, the silver Mark Anthony and Cleopatra denarius, the bronze Nero sestertius, the gold Galba aureus, the gold Augustus aureus, and the famed silver Valerian antoninianus.

How are ancient Roman coins graded?

Ancient Roman coin grading is more subjective than modern grading, given their age and variation. Common factors that influence the value of Roman coins for sale include rarity, preservation, and strike quality.

What should I look for when buying a Roman coin?

It depends on your reason for buying Roman coins. If you’re a hobbyist collector, you have a vast array of options, with different themes to build a set around like time periods, compositions, emperors, etc. Just be sure to browse authentic Roman coins for sale with a distinct design.

If you’re looking to buy Roman coins for investment, you’ll want to find coins with impeccable artistry (e.g. 134-138 AD Hadrian sestertius), rarity (e.g. 200s-AD Silbannacus antoninianus), or historical significance (e.g. 19-18 BC gold Augustus aureus).

What payment methods are accepted for buying Roman coins?

You have three days after winning an auction to submit payment for your ancient Roman coin. Each Verified Seller offers payment methods via GemPay, credit card, PayPal, and/or escrow. Check the seller’s profile or the item listing to see which methods the seller accepts.

How can I verify the authenticity of a Roman coin?

Sellers may list authenticating documentation on the listing page of their Roman coin for sale. Many buyers have reputable ancient coin dealers or third-party services like NGC verify if an ancient coin is authentic. You can always request an audit of any Roman coin for sale on our website via our Sheriff Program, where we’ll have a panel of third-party experts review if the listing is accurate.

How is the Roman coin shipped after purchase?

After the seller receives payment, they have 1-2 business days to get your ancient Roman coin shipped. The time, cost, tracking, and insurance availability for shipping varies among sellers, so refer to the shipping information under the Verified Seller’s extended profile.

Can I return or exchange ancient Roman coin bought at auction?

Yes. If you’re not completely satisfied, you have 7 days after receiving your Roman coin to reach out to the seller for a refund or exchange. Include all the original packaging and documentation when returning the item. Know that sellers may charge a return shipping fee, though they are not allowed to charge a restocking fee.

How do I participate in a Roman coin auction?

First, register your account to track shipping and communicate with sellers. Once you’ve browsed through our array of Roman coins for sale and found a listing you like, check what type of listing it is. You can buy the Roman coin immediately if it’s a non-auction listing — the price will be green with a cart icon — or make a bid starting as low as $1 if it’s a no-reserve auction. Input your maximum bid and our system will automatically outbid any competitors up to the bid you set.

Thanks to the rigorous quality control of our Verified Sellers process and Sheriff Program, you can buy Roman coins at competitive prices from reputable sellers. Our broad range of Roman coins for sale offer fantastic options for hobbyists, historians, collectors, and investors.

Further Reading