The Complete Guide to Roman Coins: History, Collecting & Authentication Secrets
There’s something magical about holding a Roman coin. Maybe it’s the weight of history in your palm—the knowledge that this small piece of metal once passed through the hands of merchants, soldiers, or even emperors. I still remember the first denarius I bought at a flea market in Rome. The dealer winked and said, “This one might have paid a legionary’s salary.” (It probably didn’t, but the thrill was real.)
Where It All Started: Bronze Chunks and First Coins
Before Rome had coins, people traded with rough bronze chunks called aes rude. It was messy, inconsistent, and not great for buying bread or wine.
Eventually, around the 4th century BC, the Romans cast that bronze into big, heavy coins called aes grave—some weighing over 300 grams.
They were stamped with simple images like Janus (the two-faced god) or the prow of a ship. It wasn’t elegant, but it worked.
Then in 211 BC, Rome introduced a silver coin called the denarius. And everything changed. This little coin would become the backbone of Roman trade for centuries.
This guide won’t just dump facts on you. Instead, I’ll walk you through what I’ve learned from 15 years of collecting—the excitement, the mistakes, and the hard-won tricks to avoid getting scammed. We’ll cover:
- How Roman coins evolved from crude bronzes to propaganda masterpieces
- Why some coins are worth thousands while others cost less than a pizza
- The telltale signs that separate authentic treasures from clever fakes
- Where to buy with confidence (and where to run the other way)
1. The Living History Behind Roman Coins
Republic Era (300–27 BCE): Coins With Attitude
Early Roman coins had personality. The Aes Grave series—cast bronze lumps weighing as much as a smartphone—featured everything from Janus’ two faces to charging bulls. My favorite? The “ramo secco” (dry branch) series. Nobody’s quite sure what it symbolizes, but they look like tiny bronze twigs.
Then came the denarius in 211 BCE. These silver coins were Rome’s first “modern” currency. The early ones show Roma wearing a winged helmet—looking more like a determined librarian than a war goddess.
Collector’s Hack: Republic-era coins often have banker’s marks—ancient graffiti where money-changers tested purity. These actually increase value for some collectors.
Imperial Showbiz (27 BCE–476 CE)
When Augustus became emperor, coins became celebrity headshots. The best portraits? Nero’s chubby-cheeked youth vs. his later “I’ve-partied-too-much” look. Hadrian rocked a magnificent beard on his coins, while Marcus Aurelius gazed philosophically into the distance.
Then there’s poor Pertinax. His coins are crazy rare because he ruled for just 87 days before being assassinated. I once held one at a Berlin auction—the coin outlasted the emperor by 1,800 years.
2. Coin Types: From Pocket Change to Power Plays
Bronze Coins: The Ancient Penny
- As: Basic unit, about the size of a quarter. Look for ships’ prows or animal motifs.
- Sestertius: The $20 bill of Rome. Weighs as much as a small avocado.
Fun Fact: Some sestertii show the Colosseum under construction—ancient “progress photos.”
Silver Denarius: The People’s Currency
A well-preserved denarius feels like holding a tiny silver DVD. The best ones show:
- Julius Caesar’s famously receding hairline
- Mark Antony and Cleopatra’s doomed love story
- Vespasian’s “I just conquered Judea” victory lap
Watch Out: Later denarii were “debased”—like when Nero mixed the silver with cheaper metals. They often look washed-out and dull.
Gold Aureus: Bling of the Emperors
Holding an aureus is surreal. These coins financed wars and built empires. The most sought-after:
- The “Eid Mar” coin Brutus minted after killing Caesar (only 3 exist)
- Any aureus with Caligula’s face (because, well, Caligula)
3. What’s It Really Worth?
The Rarity Sweet Spot
I’ve seen two nearly identical coins sell for wildly different prices. Why?
- A common Trajan denarius: $150
- The same coin but minted in year of Dacian conquest: $1,500
Condition Is King
Grading Roman coins isn’t like modern coins. Look for:
- Fine (F): You can tell it’s a face… probably
- Extremely Fine (XF): Crisp details, light wear
- Mint State (MS): Looks like it just left the mint (and costs like it too)
Pro Tip: Coins with original “desert patina” (that sandy crust) often preserve amazing detail underneath. Never clean them!
4. Spotting Fakes: A Collector’s Survival Guide
The Usual Suspects
- The Too-Perfect Fake: Real ancient coins have quirks. If Julius Caesar’s nose looks Photoshopped, walk away.
- The “Museum Reproduction” Scam: Real coins don’t come with “COPY” stamped in microscopic letters.
- The Dirt Trick: Dealers who rub coffee grounds on fakes to make them look “dug up.”
The Tooth Test
Gently tap a coin against your tooth (yes, really). Authentic silver/gold has a distinctive ping. Fakes go clunk.
5. Where to Buy (Without Losing Your Shirt)
Trusted Sources
- VCoins.com: The eBay of ancient coins, but with actual experts vetting sellers.
- Local Coin Shows: Nothing beats holding a coin in sunlight to check surfaces.
Places That Make Me Nervous
- eBay listings with stock photos
- Any seller who says “I found this in my grandpa’s attic” about 50 different coins
- “Lifetime authenticity guarantees” from websites registered last month
So Many Coins… Which Ones Matter?
There are a lot of Roman coins. Here’s a quick breakdown of the big ones collectors talk about:
- As – Basic bronze coin from the Republic.
- Denarius – The silver workhorse of Rome. Most common collector coin.
- Sestertius – Large brass coin used during the Empire. Big, heavy, and very collectible.
- Aureus – Gold coin. Think elite, imperial propaganda.
- Solidus – Constantine’s gold coin. Replaced the aureus later on.
- Follis – Thick bronze coin from the later Roman Empire and early Byzantine era.
🧾 What’s On These Coins Anyway?
Look at a Roman coin and you’ll probably see a head on the front—that’s usually an emperor, sometimes a god. This side’s called the obverse.
Flip it over, and the back (the reverse) might show a military scene, a religious symbol, a goddess, or even architecture.
What really helps identify a coin are the legends—the Latin text around the edges.
Some common ones you’ll bump into:
- IMP – Imperator (commander)
- AVG – Augustus (emperor)
- PONT MAX – Pontifex Maximus (high priest)
They look like gibberish at first, but they tell you a lot about the ruler’s titles and timeline.
🔍 How to Spot What You’ve Got
Let’s say you found or bought a Roman coin—what now?
Start with the basics:
- Metal – Bronze, silver, or gold?
- Size – Bigger coins were often used during the Empire.
- Portrait – Who’s on the front?
- Legend – Can you read part of the Latin text?
- Reverse – What image or scene do you see?
Even if a coin is worn, these clues help narrow it down. Use comparison tools or online catalogs like WildWinds or ACSearch for faster identification.
💰 What Are Roman Coins Worth?
Ah, the million-sesterces question.
Roman coin values are all over the place depending on the emperor, condition, rarity, and demand.
Here’s a rough idea:
- Common bronze coins – $10 to $100
- Silver denarii – $75 to $500+
- Gold aurei or solidi – $1,000 to $10,000+
- Rare emperors or high-grade coins – $25,000+ at auction
Keep in mind: cleaning or damaging the patina can crush the value. Original surfaces matter.
🧠 A Few Collector Tips from Experience
- Don’t rush. Start with bronze—cheaper and easier to study.
- Avoid anything that looks too perfect (probably fake).
- Never scrub or polish a Roman coin. It kills historical value.
- Record where you got each coin—that provenance matters over time.
- Use tools like RIC (Roman Imperial Coinage) or join coin forums to level up fast.
📚 Glossary for Beginners
- Obverse – Front of the coin, usually a portrait
- Reverse – Back side, often with symbols or scenes
- Legend – The Latin inscription around the coin
- Denarius – Common silver Roman coin
- Aureus – Gold coin issued by emperors
- AE – Short for bronze coins
- AR – Silver
- AV – Gold
Final Thoughts
Collecting Roman coins isn’t about getting rich—it’s about touching history. My most treasured piece? A worn denarius of Hadrian that probably bought olives in some long-gone market. It’s not valuable, but it’s real.
Want to Learn More?
I’ve put together a free cheat sheet with:
✅ Emperor timelines
✅ Mint mark decoder
✅ My personal list of trusted dealers
[Download Here]
Got a Coin Story?
Tell me about your first ancient coin in the comments—the good, the bad, or the “I can’t believe I fell for that fake”!