Have you ever imagined what Roman Emperors like Julius Caesar, Nero or Titus looked like. Perhaps you would also like to own something that may have been held by one of these historic men or someone living during their time.
If you are someone who has an interest in the Ancient past or perhaps someone who just likes collecting historic antiques but your not willing to spend much money then you should consider taking up the hobby of Roman coin collecting.
I prefer collecting Roman coins for a number of reasons.
While other ancient coins can be interesting a very large variety of Roman coins exist due to the vast time and area that the Roman Empire covered. Countless coins were minted over the first few centuries that the Roman Empire existed and these coins reflect the time and location of the region.
Also its great to have a real portrait of an Emperor in your possession. Many emperors came and went and it was customary to inscribe the portrait of the emperor on the coins that were minted during their reign.
There were many Ancient coins created by the Greeks, Barbarians, Celts, Indians and Chinese but Ancient Roman coins are the most in-expensive of all of these.
In fact they are less expensive to collect then many modern day coins which can come as a surprise to some. As already stated the Roman Empire was large and existed over a long period of time. Therefore there were a lot of Roman coins and so they are not as rare as some may believe. Also fewer people collect ancient coins then modern coins and so the demand for them is lower.
You are less likely to come across a fake Roman coin then other coins. Roman coins are less expensive and rarer so there is less of a motive to forge them.
Another reason why I enjoy collecting Roman coins is that they have more then just historic value. These coins have creative and artistic value. They have been beautifully crafted and reflect the culture and environment of where they were made.
Roman Coins had intrinsic value. Unlike coins today these coins were made from Gold, Silver, Bronze etc. Should you have a higher budget this gives you the chance to collect the more special and rarer Gold and Silver coins which were worth many more times their weight in those metals.
The Factors that determine the worth of a Roman coin
The price of a coin ranges significantly due to a number of factors. The two biggest factors being the condition the coin is in and the grade of the coin.
The condition of a coin can depend on how corroded the coin has become while it has been in the ground or how it was stored.
The grade of the coin depends on the tools and experience of the person who minted the coin during the Roman period. These coins were made by hand and so are not always very well minted. They may be oval rather then circular and lack detail. This can happen if it was struck by dies that were worn down.
How you grade the coin can sometimes be problematic and sometimes you just have to estimate it based on how appealing or detailed you think the coin is to your own eyes
The third most important factor that determines the worth of a Roman coin is how rare that coin is. However rarity is less of a factor with Roman coins as it is with modern coins as Roman coins are so diverse and numerous.
Coins are worth a lot more if fewer were minted and there are fewer of them in circulation. Given the large number of collectors of Modern day coins this is more of a factor with Modern coins. This would drive up the cost of a rare coin if collectors are trying to complete their collection.
Sellers of ancient coins will often use terms such as scarce, rare or very rare to describe a coin. Just because someone describes a coin as rare does not mean that it actually is. Unfortunately, some sellers will attach this label to ancient coins to attract novice collectors who do not know better. If someone describes a coin as rare or scarce does the person explain why the coin is rare? Does he give it an RIC number and explain the variety? If you are new to collecting ancient coins, you should not jump on a coin just because is it described as rare.
If you build up a collection of ancient coins you will be able to tell for yourself if a coin is uncommon, scarce or even rare.
Price of different Roman coins
Truly rare coins that are sort after will not sell for much less than $100, and often for much more. Hence, a coin of Constantine described as rare with an asking price of just a few dollars is very unlikely to be so. There are sellers on eBay who claim that their coin is rare, or they have only seen one in 10 years, but there is another one just like it being offered on eBay by someone else.
To get an idea of the range in price for Roman coins, for $5 to $10 you can purchase good quality coins manufactured under late 3rd and 4th century AD emperors.
For about $10-$20, you can collect a coin from the more famous 1st and 2nd century emperors, and of many later ones in very nice condition. In fact, for $20 a coin, you can quite easily assemble a collection of more than half of the emperors (over 50) in very nice condition with clear portraits and readable legends.
On top of this, there are numerous varieties available for each emperor. Of course, just as with modern coins, you can buy ones that cost much more; ones that are in better shape or are more scarce, but if you are just interested in decent coins and history then you may not have to look any further.
You could occasionally splash out on a rarer coin which catches your interest or one in much better condition. Or even a Gold or Silver coin worth more then their weight in these precious metals. Some people are attracted to coins that are dirty or not fully legible as it can add to their mystery and even lead to a rare and expensive find.
To sum up, purchase coins that appear to you personally. Every coin will be different. Choose the one that you think is better value for your money. You may even be able to resell such a coin later and make a profit. Occasionally buy a more expensive coin of a higher grade and condition. Dont worry about rarity too much but if want a rare coin you should make sure the coin really is rare by asking the dealer the right questions. This can save yourself a lot of money.
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