The early Roman Coinage of the Republic consisted of a system of weights (Aes Grave) issued before 280 B.C. These Bronze ingots or bars had designs on both sides and were most likely exchangeable by weight.
As Rome expanded and started to trade with other city-states, the Romans realised that to facilitate trade they would need to have silver coins as well as struck bronzes.
During the time of the republic, the Romans took inspiration from the Ancient Greeks and heavily featured mythology on their coins. Many interesting Roman coins were made during this period. Examples are the silver denarii depicting Rome’s founders Romulus and Remus being suckled by a she-wolf, as well as the denarius featuring Hercules strangling the Nemean lion on the reverse.
In Imperial times, coins became symbols of power and were used to disseminate the Emperor’s image across the empire as having god-like status.
Julius Caesar was the first living Roman to issue coins bearing his own portrait. This act shocked the senate who considered it to be an extreme act of arrogance on Caesar's part, as only gods and kings were featured on coins. Later his great-nephew Octavian (Augustus) adopted the idea, and so did all the Roman emperors that came after him. All of them have had their portraits immortalised on coins.
Roman coinage lasted for eight centuries, so there are a number of ways to collect them. Some collectors attempt to have a coin for every Emperor, while many others may choose a particular point in history to focus on. Some will also attempt to have every single issue of a particular denomination for one Emperor.
As there are many ways to collect, we have chosen to present our stock in the easiest way possible and divide our ancient Roman coins into Roman Silver Coins (Roman Republic Coins and Roman Imperial Coins) and Roman Bronze Coins. Our coins have also been tagged according to the dynasty an emperor belongs to.
We provide genuine Roman coins to collectors in the UK and worldwide. Although our stock of Roman Coins has limited availability, contrary to many companies ‘selling coins’ online, we own the stock presented on the product pages. You won’t receive the usual ‘sourced to order’ message from us. But please be aware that some of the photography is representative of the coins supplied.
Also, please remember that we do not sell coins for investment. In other words, we will not try to provide you with “investment advice” over the phone or by any other means.
‘Limes Denarius’ is an intriguing mystery! They are a base metal or very low silver content Denarius mostly found in the border areas of the empire, especially in Europe. They are generally well made and would have fooled people at the time using plating or a silver wash. But no one knows who made them! One theory is that the state made them pay soldiers on the ‘Limes’ (border forts) of the empire so that if they were raided the enemy would not get lots of silver. Another is that the state could not afford the soldier's pay to go up over successive emperors so it ignored the people making counterfeits, especially on the fringes of the empire. Sadly, until someone studies this in more depth we will not know. We have just bought a small group of theses Limes Denarius showing multiple emperors from the 2nd Century A.D. on the obverse (mostly Marcus Aurelius) with various reverses. They grade Fine, showing a clear portrait and making a most interesting addition to any collection. Were they state-made or by the people who needed them? It is your mystery too now! PLEASE NOTE: PHOTOGRAPHY IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COIN SUPPLIED
On the death of Claudius II in A.D. 270 Aurelian was declared emperor by his troops and his reputation alone defeated his rival, Quintillus. His industrious five year reign saw the defeat of the rebellious ‘Palmyrene Empire’ in the East and the breakaway ‘Gallic Empire’ in the West, restoring the Roman Empire. He also reformed the coinage, improved food distribution and began construction of a great defensive wall around the city of Rome which still stands today. Sadly, he was killed by short-sighted army officers in A.D. 275, imagine what he could have achieved! We offer Billon Antoninianus of Aurelian in Extremely Fine, showing his radiate bust on the obverse and with various reverses. These sold out last time we ran them, Aurelian has become very popular in the last few years as his reign is re-evaluated, do not miss out!
Constantine the Great 307-337 AD - treasure trove roman bronze coin with London Mint Mark. On the 22nd of March 1970, a hoard of choice Constantinian Roman bronze coins was found in a field adjoining the Fosse Way, near Bourton-on-the-Water. The locals called the area the ‘Money Ground’ because so many Roman coins were found there over the years. This time they found the ultimate source, what had been an original sack of coins hidden almost 1,700 years ago. Correctly, the hoard was handed in and declared as Treasure Trove. We are thankful to David W. Burge for his excellent article about this hoard, in the Numismatic Chronicle of 1973. It tells you everything you would want to know about the hoard. There were 3,292 coins, all bronze, of which 1,802 were struck in London.
Diocletian was born of humble origin around A.D. 245 in Dalmatia near Split and rose through the ranks of the military to high command. He manoeuvred his way to be emperor of the Roman Empire in A.D. 284 then appointed an old army colleague, Maximian, as co-emperor. Diocletian then settled the problem of succession by appointing two junior Caesars, bringing stability after 60 years of chaos. He spent much of his reign campaigning and overhauled the tax system, reforming the coinage in an attempt to counter inflation. Unlike any emperor before or after he voluntarily abdicated in A.D. 305 and retired to his palace in Split, dying there in A.D. 311. The coins we offer here are Bronze Antoninianus in a Fine grade with various reverses showing gods and goddesses. Own a coin of this pivotal emperor who saved and then paved the way for the survival of the empire.
Get the best book for beginners in Roman Coins, many collectors have started identifying Roman Coins using this book! It is a step by step guide teaching basic techniques to be able to identify the time period and denomination with clear illustrations.
Not sure how to start collecting ancient Roman coins? We have tried to make things easy for you! This collection spans a 125 year period from A.D. 253 to A.D. 378, an era which saw the mighty Roman Empire recover from the edge of decline and disaster back to glory and grandeur. These bronze coins will comprise the emperors Gallienus, Constantine the Great, Constans, Valentinian, Constantius II and Valens. This means the coins will be at least 1640 years old! Each coin will be in nice collectable condition and clearly identifiable with a well-defined portrait of the emperor who issued it. These coins were minted and circulated across the Empire, each will come with an information sheet containing a short history of the emperor. Start collecting ancient Roman coins today with this set, or offer it to your favourite ancient history buff! The coins are not mounted onto the cards, they are supplied in individual envelopes marked with the emperors' name.
Septimius Severus was born in Leptis Magna, Northern Africa. He rose through the senatorial ranks quickly and in the chaos of A.D. 193 he deftly managed his rivals to be sole ruler within five years. He then campaigned for the majority of his reign and in A.D. 208 Septimius Severus set off for Britannia!
Septimius Severus was Roman Emperor from AD 193-211. In AD 208 he travelled to Britain to strengthen Hadrian’s Wall and went on to invade Scotland that same year but his plans were cut short when he became ill and died in York in AD 211. We have a few silver denarius in Very Fine Condition minted during his reign. There are different types but all have his portrait on the obverse, and usually a standing or seated figure on the reverse. PHOTOGRAPH IS REPRESENTATIVE OF COIN SUPPLIED.
£125.00
Don’t miss out on the latest Ancient Roman Coins we have for sale!
