Roman Coin Values: A Collector’s Guide to Pricing Ancient Currency

Learn how to evaluate Roman coin values. From denarii and sestertii to rare aurei, discover what makes Roman coins valuable and how collectors determine their worth.

Introduction: The Question Every Collector Asks

The very first time I bought a Roman coin, I was less worried about history and more curious about money. “What’s this worth?” I asked the dealer, holding a worn bronze with Constantine’s profile. He smiled and said, “Not much in dollars—but priceless in story.”

That answer stuck with me. Because yes, Roman coins can be worth anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds of thousands. But their true value often lies in the mix of history, artistry, rarity, and condition.

Still, collectors need a framework. If you’ve ever wondered whether that silver denarius you just picked up is worth $50 or $5,000, this guide is for you.

What Determines the Value of a Roman Coin?

Roman coin values aren’t random—they’re built on a few key pillars.

1. Rarity

The shorter the emperor’s reign, the scarcer the coins. A common denarius of Trajan might be $80, while a denarius of Pertinax (who ruled only 87 days in 193 CE) can fetch thousands.

2. Historical Importance

Coins of Julius Caesar, Augustus, or Constantine are always in demand. Why? Because they’re household names even outside the hobby. People love holding a coin of the man who crossed the Rubicon or the first Christian emperor.

3. Condition / Grade

A coin with a clear portrait, sharp details, and a natural patina will always fetch more. A sestertius with a worn-down emperor’s head might be $100; the same type in near-perfect condition could top $5,000.

4. Metal

Gold > Silver > Bronze. It’s that simple. Aurei (gold coins) are valuable almost regardless of emperor. Denarii (silver) strike a balance between affordability and desirability. Bronze coins are the most accessible, though large sestertii in great condition can be surprisingly pricey.

Common Roman Coins and Their Market Prices

Let’s start with the coins most collectors encounter first.

• Constantinian Bronzes (late 3rd–4th century CE):
  These are entry-level coins, often $10–30 each in decent condition. Perfect for beginners.

• Denarii of Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius (2nd century CE):
  $50–150 depending on wear. These are the bread-and-butter of many collections.

• Sestertii (1st–2nd century CE):
  $100–500 in decent shape. Exceptional examples (sharp strike, green patina) can soar into the thousands.

• Antoniniani (3rd century CE):
  Plentiful and cheap, often $20–60. Their value lies more in history than in price.

• Aurei (gold coins):
  Rarely under $2,000, even for common emperors. High-grade examples often climb past $10,000.

👉 Note: These are ballpark ranges. Auction results can swing wildly depending on demand and coin quality.

Rare and Valuable Roman Coins

Now let’s step into the high-end territory—the coins that make headlines.

• EID MAR Denarius of Brutus (44 BCE):
  Issued after Caesar’s assassination, showing two daggers and a liberty cap. One of the most famous coins in history. In 2020, a superb example sold for over $3.5 million.

• Colosseum Sestertius of Titus (80 CE):
  Shows the newly built Colosseum on the reverse. Few survive, making it one of the most desirable bronzes. Values run into six figures.

• Aureus of Pertinax (193 CE):
  From an emperor who ruled less than three months. Extremely rare, usually selling for over $50,000.

• Gold Medallions and Multiple Aurei:
  Not regular coins, but presentation pieces. Some weigh several aurei and can bring astonishing auction prices.

These are museum-level coins, but they show the top end of what Roman numismatics can achieve.

Auction Results vs. Market Prices

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is treating auction results like fixed prices. In reality, auctions are driven by two things:

1. Who’s in the room (or online) bidding.

2. Provenance (the coin’s ownership history).

For example, a denarius of Augustus might sell for $400 at one auction and $650 at another a month later. Add a prestigious old collection label, and suddenly collectors are paying a premium just for the history of ownership.

Retail dealers also charge more than auction hammer prices. Why? Because they’ve vetted the coin, absorbed risk, and often offer a guarantee.

👉 Tip: Always compare multiple sales. Don’t rely on a single auction hammer price.

How to Research the Value of Your Roman Coin

Fortunately, we live in a golden age of coin research. A few essential tools:

• ACSearch & CoinArchives: Massive databases of past auction results. Essential for seeing real-world prices.

• Auction Houses: NAC (Zurich), Roma Numismatics (London), CNG (USA), and others publish free online catalogs with results.

• Reference Books: Roman Imperial Coinage (RIC), David Sear’s Roman Coins and Their Values.

• Collector Forums: Communities like NumisForums often provide market insights and help with ID.

If you’re holding a coin and wondering its value, your best bet is to find three or four recent sales of the same type and compare.

Modern Market Trends in Roman Coins

Roman coin values don’t exist in a vacuum. They rise and fall with the market.

• Gold and Silver Prices: When bullion prices rise, so do the base values of aurei and denarii.

• Global Demand: Collectors in Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe are entering the market, raising competition.

• Shifting Tastes: Constantine bronzes used to be ignored; now, with Christian symbolism, they’re gaining attention.

• Economic Climate: In uncertain times, people sometimes view coins as “portable wealth,” driving up demand for gold and rare silver.

Beginner Tips for Evaluating Coin Value

• Don’t rely on eBay. It’s flooded with fakes and overpriced junk. Use it only as a rough reference.

• Check auction archives. Three or four comparable results will give you a reliable price range.

• Condition is king. A worn sestertius might be $100, but a sharp one with green patina could be $5,000.

• Authentication matters. If a deal feels too good to be true, it probably is.

Conclusion: Value Beyond Money

At the end of the day, Roman coin values are about more than price tags. They’re about connection. When you pick up a denarius of Marcus Aurelius, you’re holding the same coin that may have paid a soldier guarding the Rhine frontier. When you look at a bronze with the Colosseum, you’re staring at Rome’s propaganda machine in metal.

Yes, values matter—for buying, selling, and insuring. But the real reward is the story. As one collector told me, “The coin on my desk might be worth $200. But to me? It’s priceless, because I’m the one who found it.”