Interesting ancient coins, offered by Augustus Coins
If you want to buy ancient coins and you are in the US, you are beginning at the right page. My coins are interesting and in nice condition, but inexpensive; all cost much less than $1000. If you want to learn more about ancient coins, visit my educational ancient-coin website (begun in 1997 and expanded very many times since then). If you like to learn from books, visit my page of ancient-coin literature. For more about me, see see here.
Contents: This is the main page with Roman coins and some of newest listings from other series too, at the top. For late Roman, Byzantine, or Greek coins, or books about them, use the links to the left.
Skip down to Republican, 1st C, 2nd C, or 3rd C , Tetrarchy (Diocletian - Licinius II)
Recent: 2024, May 20: Tiny Trajan half-quadrans. Three Byzantine coins on the Byzantine page.
2024, May 19: Valerian II mentioning PART. Hadrian tiny half-quadrans, on this page. Seven new inexpensive Constantinian coins on the Constantinian page. Another crusader coin of the First Crusade and Romanus IV Sear 1966 on the Byzantine page.
2024, May 18: Four crusader coins of the First Crusade on the Byzantine page.
2024, April 25: Lovely Licinius in high grade. Septimius with a winged figure of death! A provincial semis of Hadrian. A half-quadrans of Trajan, Rome's smallest denomination. Tiny! Many sold coins removed from this page and many sold coins removed from the Byzantine page.
2024, April 20: Wonderful Herennia Etruscilla.
2024, April 16: Some literature prices reduced.
2024, April 9: Justinian, Antioch year 13, and Tancred, of the First Crusade, on the Byzantine page. Theodosius galley and a lovely coded ant of Maximian and a Diocletian very rare small abdication piece (top of this page).
2024, April 4: Honorius, facing bust. First Crusade, Baldwin II, at the top of this page.
2024, April 2: Constantine, Sol with Victory on globe. Valentinian II VRBS ROMA. Justinian K on the Byzantine page.
2024, March 14: A page of ancient imitations from the time of Constantine.
2024, March 8: Alexius, anonymous Class J. Tiberius II X, Justin II Є from Nicomedia on the Byzantine page.
2024, March 6: A rare Turkoman figural coin on the Byzantine page.
2024, March 5: An entirely new page of ancient imitations from the time of Constantine. (I spent years working on my collection of imitations and now I am passing some of them along.)
wwestyc wwestypage
Prices are in brackets: [$xx].
To order, or simply to ask me questions, write me, Warren, at 
.
(I am on Pacific time, so if you are in the east and write me at 8:00 am it is only 5:00 am where I am.)
My page of terms, which are essentially repeated here:
All coins are guaranteed genuine.
Terms of Sale. Please tell me if you are not in the US. If you are outside the US, shipping will be $20 or $25. (I'm very sorry shipping outside the US is so expensive.) See more here.
After I confirm I still have the coin:
If you are in the US you can pay with Zelle (preferred) or PayPal to my e-mail address. (I also accept checks.) (Why I prefer Zelle.)
Shipping in the US is $2 for orders under $25, $3 up to $50, $4 up to $100, and an additional $2 for each hundred thereafter.
Reminder: When you buy a coin you must add in the shipping cost. Don't think a coin offered at $20 elsewhere will cost you $20. It won't. Shipping could easily be $6 or more. In contrast, I charge only $2 for shipping a $20 coin in the US.
Purple means "SOLD" and no longer available
Newest first. After that, Roman coins before the 4th century are in chronological order below. Later Roman coins are on other pages linked in the sidebar.
(Greek, Byzantine, and other coins are on their own pages with links at the top left.)
Newest next. Skip the newest coins and go down to Roman coins in chronological order
NOTE: This page now includes Tetrarchal coins (below). It incorporates the previous "Tetrarchy" page.
Trajan, 98-117
The smallest Roman denomination! Sometimes called an "uncia." It is much smaller than a quadrans.
Struck very near the end of his reign, c. 117.
11.6-11.3 mm. 1.06 grams. Tiny!
His bust right with no legend.
"SC" in wreath.
Sear II 3250, page 170 "Rome, 112-117"
RIC Trajan 443, probably 101-103 (unlikely, since there is a short-lived similar type of Hadrian)
BMC 1883. p. cvi "Very probably of Roman mintage--possibly Antioch."
The only other coin of a similar type is of Hadrian, distinguished only by its portrait of Hadrian.
Clearly recognizable bust of Trajan and clear "SC" in wreath. Tiny! [$47]
PRC III 3681 Antioch "chalkous" "product of Rome." "Struck for circulation in Syria".
Licinius II, 317-324
IOVI CONSERVATORI
SMHA for Heraclea mint
X II Γ in the field for 12 1/2, half the "25" denomination.
eagle holding wreath, captive, and Jupiter holding Victory on globe, crowning him.
[$15]
Valerian II, son of Gallienus
VICTORIA PART
I love coins relating to wars between Roman and Persia. This is a scarce type (primarily for Valerian I) which ironically references Valerian's (untimately disastrous) war with "Parthia" (by then we call them Sasanians)
Comparable coins on vcoins cost far more:
[$59]
Hadrian, half-quadrans.
The smallest Roman denomination! Sometimes called an "uncia." It is much smaller than a quadrans.
Struck very near the beginning of his reign, c. 117.
11 mm. 1.01 grams. Tiny!
His bust right with no legend.
"SC" in wreath.
Sear II 3705 "copper uncia" PRC III 3681 Antioch "chalkous" "product of Rome." "Struck for circulation in Syria".
The only other coin of a similar type is of Trajan, distinguished only by its portrait of Trajan.
Clearly recognizable bust of Hadrian and clear "SC" in wreath. Tiny! Nice natural earthen cover. [$35 SOLD]
Licinius, 308-324
Bust left in conuular robes
IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG
<palm> Δ
SΜΝ
19 mm. 3.27 grams.
RIC VI Nicomedia 24, 317-320, page 604.
Ex Clark collection, bought in 2016 for $35. (No ticket, except my own)
Look at the robes! [$37 SOLD]
Septimius Severus with a winged figure of death!
17.2-16.2 mm. Small.
His bust right
Winged Thanatos standing right, leaning upon torch set upon altar (as if extinguishing the torch)
NIKOΠOΛΩN ("of Nicoplois")
Moushmov 924
With former seller's crude ticket for $65 in 2004 (but I doubt it sold for that.)
Low grade, but unusual. Why would they put "death" on a coin? I have no idea. [$14 SOLD]
Hadrian, 117-138
Provincial semis of Antioch
19.5-18. 5 mm. 6.03 grams.
Legend in Greek. Well centered, but hard to see. It looks just like the photo but at some angles you can see it a bit better.
Butcher 254; McAlee 539b; RPC III 3718.
[$12 SOLD]
Trajan, 98-117
The smallest Roman denomination! Sometimes called an "uncia." It is much smaller than a quadrans.
Struck very near the end of his reign, c. 117.
12.5- 10.0 mm. 0.75 grams. Tiny!
His bust right with no legend.
"SC" in wreath.
Sear II 3250, page 170 "Rome, 112-117"
RIC Trajan 443, probably 101-103 (unlikely, since there is a short-lived similar type of Hadrian)
BMC 1883. p. cvi "Very probably of Roman mintage--possibly Antioch."
The only other coin of a similar type is of Hadrian, distinguished only by its portrait of Hadrian.
Recognizable bust of Trajan and clear "SC" in wreath. Tiny! Nice natural earthen cover. [$24]
It is nice considering it is so small. PRC III 3681 Antioch "chalkous" "product of Rome." "Struck for circulation in Syria".
A lovely portrait for the portrait series.
Herennia Etruscilla, wife of Trjan Decius who reigned 249-251
HER ETRVSCILLA AVG
Please please go look at other coins of Herennia. She often/usually has an unattractive face. You have to look hard to find one as pleasing as this one.
PVDICTIA AVG (modesty)
RIC IV.III (under Trajan Decius) 58b, page 127, plate 11.4. (RIC's coin is not quite as nice)
Sear III 9494.
Ancient coins are ancient art, as well as history. This particular coins is art of a higher order than almost all of her other coins.
[$145 + $6 shipping in the US]
Rare Consantine with Sol holding Victory on globe crowning him.
20-19 mm. 3.40 grams.
At first it looks like the common SOLI INVICTO COMITI
but then you notice the legend is
SOLI INVICT COM DD
and Sol holds a Victory crowning him.
RIC Rome 49, page 302.
Ex Dionysos (Germany) Dec. 2012, for $48.
Still [$48].
Constantine, 307-337
Helmeted, with crest and ornaments
VIRTVS EXERCITI
VOT XX on banner above two captives
PT Ticinum mint
Lovely orange and black patina [$27]
Theodosius, 379-395
AE 2. 22 mm.
GLORIA ROMANORVM
ANTB Antioch mint
[$22]
Theodosius, 379-397
AE 2. 22 mm.
Helmeted bust right with spear and shild
GLORIA ROMANORVM,
Emperor on galley steered by Victory.
CONS Constantinople mint
Lovely orange and black [$28]
Honorius
17-16 mm.
RARE
VRBS ROMA FELIX
SMROM
Soldier holding Victory on globe
This is very nice for the type which never(?) comes full flan and nice. When found, it is in poor shape for Honorius, Arcadius, or Theodosius II.
[$39] Please look at your (other) favorite site for comparable coins and their prices.
Arcadius
AE2. 21-20 mm.
VIRTVS EXERCITI
ANTS Antioch.
Black with light cover [$24]
Maximinus II, 305-3134
22-21 mm. 3.99 grams.
RIC Antioch 164b, "312"
GENIO AVGVSTI, Genius holding radiate head of Sol
ANT
Lovely white cover.
Interesting use of EΔ for 9, to avoid using Θ which would be the usual Greek 9, but it is a Roman symbol for "death".
[$22]
Maximian. (286-305 AD).
20mm, 2.71g
Cyzicus
IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS P F AVG. radiate cuirassed bust of Maximian right.
CONCORDIA MILITVM. Jupiter standing left presents Victory on a globe to Maximianus standing right. White cover. [$23]
Licinius I. (321-323 AD).
21mm, 2.91g
Alexandria.
IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG. laureate bust of Licinius right.
IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG. Jupiter standing and holding Victoria on globe ; eagle at his feet. White cover. [$19]
NOTE: This page now includes Tetrarchal coins (below). It incorporates the previous "Tetrarchy" page.
Okay, it is not an ancient coin, and not ancient, but it is interesting. A small thimble, 14 mm diameter, 15.3 mm deep. (Too small for even my little finger.)
I know almost nothing about it. I bought it from the "artifacts" section of an ancient-coin auction. Thimbles are a medieval invention, not ancient.
I will ship it in a small but strong box inside an envelope so it doesn't get crushed in the mail.
[$9 + $5 shipping] (If you also order coins, they will not add to the shipping cost unless the coins are expensive.)
BOOKS!
"Late Roman Coins In the Dumbarton Oaks Collection" [Arcadius (included) to Anastasius (excluded)] by Grierson and Mays, which is a massive hardcover book of 499 pages and 37 page-plates with 955 coins well-photographed lots of excellent commentary, charts, etc. Nice dustjacket. I love this book for very late Roman coins. It is much like the Dumbarton Oaks Byzantine catalogs, but for earlier coins. It is on Amazon, used, lowest at $90. Here, an excellent copy, only the former owner's name in pencil [which could be erased] on the flyleaf, for $75 + $8 shipping (it is heavy!)
Books! Coinage and Finances in the Reign of Domitian: A.D. 81-96 (BAR International) Paperback, 1983. Beautifully hardbound in heavy red cloth covers. Somebody did a nice job having it covered. The original cardcover book and its cover is all there after a flyleaf. Title in black on the spine. Unmarked and seems nearly new. [ $119+$5 shipping.]
(For other books and catalogs, see http://augustuscoins.com/numislit.html ]
Book. The large two-volume book by Estiot on coins of Aurelian and Florian, "Monnaies de l'Empire Romain, D' Aureline a Florien, 270-276", with 456 pages in French (most lists, tables, and coin IDs, easy to read), plus 100 page plates and 16 pages of color enlargements and many tables. This copy is excellent.
None on Amazon. AddAll at $199 or $220 but shipped from Europe.
Here, a very good two-volume copy at $155, including shipping in the US only.
Please compare prices with those on acsearch and vcoins and any other sites you use. I intend my prices to be below the prices for comparable coins on vcoins.
Begin Roman coins in chronological order
Roman Republican
Roman Republican semis imitation from Spain
(which rarely had its own mint so locals issued imitations to supply the need for small change)
First century BC. c. 100-25 BC.
Small. 17-15 mm. 2.19 grams.
Head of Saturn right; S (mark of value) behind
Prow right; horizontal S (mark of value) above. Cf. Burgos R46.
cf CNG https://cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=270492
for a very similar coin, not as nice, for $60 plus fees.
Crawford "Unoffical imitations and small change under the Roman Republic" AIIN 29 (1982) plate XI, 21. Also, plate II 19 (same dies!)
"Found almost always in the south of Spain, near Seville"
Better than the CNG piece. [$49, reduced to $47]
This coin cited in Rippolès and Witschonke, "The unofficial Roman Republican semisses struck in Spain" in Studies in Ancient Coinage in Honor of Andrew Burnett, 2015. #116h, not illustrated.
***** I also have a page of numismatic literature (ancient-coin auction catalogs, books) for sale.
Roman Imperial Silver and AE
Second Century
Hadrian (117-138)
Hadrian, 117-138. Struck c. 117. The smallest Roman denomination! Sometimes called an "uncia." It is much smaller than a quadrans.
Struck very near the beginning of his reign, c. 117. (The only other coin of a similar type is of Trajan, which is distinguished only by its portrait of Trajan. See the next coin.)
10.5-9.5 mm. 1.15 grams. Tiny!
His bust right with no legend.
"SC" in wreath.
Sear II 3250, page 170 "Rome, 112-117"
RIC Hadrian 629b.
Sear II 3705 page 170
Tiny! Good portrait for the small size. [$39, reduced to $33] PRC III 3681 Antioch "chalkous" "product of Rome." "Struck for circulation in Syria". It seems these of Hadrian are poorly made compared to those of Trajan. This one is nice "for type."
19 mm fourré. (ancient imitation) 2.53 grams.
Hadrian, 117-138
IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG
/PM TRP COS III, Victory right holding trophy forward
plated piece: 19 mm. 6:00. 2.53 grams
Remarkably nice reverse.
Prototype: RIC 101 "AD 119-122", BMC 212, plate 51.1. Hill 237 "AD 123"
[$29, reduced to $27]
ex Esty collection of ancient imitations (old photo taken with a scanner back in the day).
Third Century:
Central Empire, Claudius II (268-270) and later:
Claudius II, Gothicus, 268-270
20.7-19.2 mm. 3.13 grams.
IMP CLAVDIVS P F AVG. Radiate and cuirassed bust right.
With his nickname in the reverse legend!
VICTORIAE GOTHIC
Trophy with two captives
One of his best types for having "GOTHIC" in the legend.
[$27]
For a page of ancient imitations from the third century, see here.
Tetrarchy begins here!
Diocletian (284-305)
[$25, reduced to $19] Diocletian
IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS AVG
VICTORIA AVGG
RIC 277
Maximian (286-305 and later)
Maximian
21-20 mm. 4.21 grams.
HERCVLI PACIFERO
Hercules standing left holding olive branch in right and club and lion-skin in left
Γ in field left, nothing in exergue.
RIC V.II Maximian 371, page 263 "Lugdunum, 288"
Bastien 95 p.134, 3rd emission, 4th officina (286 AD)
Sear 13131.
Good silver. Somewhat porous. Lots of reverse detail. [$35, reduced to $29]
Club and lion-skin!
Maximian, 286-305.
22 mm. 4.23 grams. Heavy with better silver than typical.
IMP C MAXIMIANVS AVGHERCVLI INVICTO AVGG
Hercules standing left holding Victory on globe, lion-skin over left arm, leaning on club.
S in left field, nothing in exergue.
Obverse: radiate bust left holding club over far shoulder, lion skin over near (his left) shoulder.
RIC V.II Maximian 367, page 263, "Lugdunum, 289"
Bastien 190 p.152, 5th emission, 2nd officina (287-289 AD).
Sear 13132.
Rare bust type. Lots of silvering. [$295, reduced to $235, reduced to $215] Please compare with prices elsewhere.
Maximian
21-20 mm. 3.02 grams.
HERCVLI PACIFERO
Hercules standing left holding olive branch in right and club and lion-skin in left
Δ in field left, nothing in exergue.
RIC V.II Maximian 371, page 263 "Lugdunum, 288"
Bastien 95 p.134, 3rd emission, 4th officina (286 AD)
Sear 13131.
[$39, reduced to $34, reduced to $27]
Quarter Follis of Siscia
19 mm.
Maximian
IMP C MA MAXIMIANVS PF AVG
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI
SIS
This is not the usual full-size follis, rarther the scarcer (but not rare) "quarter follis".
RIC Siscia 146, "R3" (RIC rarities are out of date.)
plate IX
Failmezger 29 [$16, reduced to $14]
[$39, reduced to $35] Maximian post-reform radiate. 20 mm.
VOT / XX in wreath, struck 297-8.
Vows for 20 years of reign (which is what Diocletian wanted and imposed)
RIC Rome 85b, "Scarce" and this officina is unlisted. (It is listed for nearby issues, but not this type.)
Should it be worth a lot more for being "not in RIC"? Maybe a little. If that appeals to you, and it does to most collectors somewhat, buy this one. Most collectors don't have any coins "not in RIC."
Constantius I (293-305-306)
Constantius, 293-305-306
20-19 mm
Struck as Caesar
IMP VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C
VOT XX in wreath
No visible officina number
RIC VI Rome 87e variety. "c.297-8." Footnote 2 says some apparently have no officina number. [$49, reduced to $33]
VOT XX is hard to explain for Constantius with this date. It might be the vows of Diocletian (not Constantius) reconfirmed at year 15 (as proposed by RIC). It might be the coin is really from c. 303 (as the Carthage coins above) and this is vows suscepta for Constantius on the occasion of his ten-year vows. Of, it might be really from c. 303 and the vow number belongs to Diocletian. It is certainly the case that vow numbers can belong to the senior ruler and not the ruler named on the coin.
[$39, reduced to $23] Constantius I. Struck c. 297-8 at Rome. 19 mm. 3.14 grams.
VOT XX A in wreath.
RIC VI Rome 88a. page 360.
A reference to the "20 years" intended for the tetrarchy.
Rare. None on vcoins or MA-Shops as of this writing.
Galerius (293-305-311)
Maxentius (306-312)
Maxentius. 306-312
half-follis. 20 mm. 3.13 grams.
VICTORIA AETERNA ANG N
Victory standing right inscribing shield with VOT X, captive below to left
R S
RIC Rome 227 "scarce" struck "c. 310"
[$59, reduced to $32]
Maximinus II (310-313)
Maximinus II, 305-310-313
19 mm.
Struck 305-306
quarter follis
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI
SIS for Siscia
RIC Siscia 171b
The short version of his obverse legend
MAMIMINVS NOB C [$33, reduced to $17]
[$39] Maximinus II, Daza. 305-310-313 AD.
Struck as Caesar, c. 305-6 at Aquileia. RIC VI Aquileia 68b "scarce" (I'd say "rare")
Large AE30-26. Horseman spearing fallen foe.
VIRTVS AVGG ET CAESS NN
Helmeted bust left with spear over far shoulder. The coin is a little less red than the image on my screen. Rare type (both obverse and reverse are unusual)
Civic Pagan Coins of the time of Maximinus II (c. 310)
[SOLD]
\Licinius (308-324)
Licinius I, 308-324
21-19 mm. 2.79 grams.
Radiate 12 1/2 denomination.
IOVI CONSERVATORI
Jupiter holding Victory, eagle and captive below.
X/IIΓ in field (12 1/2)
SMANTE
RIC Antioch 35
Lovely rust and black patina. [$26]
Licinius, 308-324
21 mm. 3.23 grams/
IOVI CONSERVATORI
Jupiter holding Victory on globe, eagle below
SIS
Siscia mint
Lovely orange highlights
[$19 + $2 shipping if this is all you order]
(Totals more than $25 up to $50 cost $3 shipping.)
Licinius, 308-324
Radiate Fraction,
18 mm. 3.37 grams.
Alexandria, 321-324. IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Licinius I to right. Rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG / X / IIΓ / SMALB Jupiter standing front, head to left, holding Victory on globe in his right hand and long scepter in his left; at feet, eagle to left, holding wreath in beak; to right, captive seated right, his head turned back toward Jupiter. RIC Alexandria 28.
The X / IIΓ means 12 1/2, which is half of 25 and also 8 to 100, so it was probably an attempt to make a denomination fit with the coins (whichever they were) valued at 100 (denarii?).
I love the earthen highlighting. [$25]
Licinius II (317-324)
Licinius II, 317-324
19 mm. Tiny head left with scepter and mappa, struck 317
RIC VII Heraclea 19
"Camp gate" PROVIDENTIAE CAESS, MHTDelta
very little wear, silvering mostly tarnished to glossy black
A really cute tiny head! Splendid! [$59, reduced to $47]
Return to the top of this page.
Next Page: Constantinian (306-364)
Second next: Roman of Valentinian and later (364-491 AD)
To order, or simply to ask me questions, write me, Warren, at
Arcadius
Constantine, 307-337
Constantius II