| Ever wondered what Emperors like Constantine | | | | determining an ancient coins worth then modern |
| the Great, Nero or Julius Ceaser looked like and | | | | day coins. Modern day coins will be worth a lot if |
| wanted to hold something in your hand that may | | | | there were few minted, or few in circulation. |
| have been held by one of these Emperors or | | | | Given the large number of collectors this is more |
| someone living during that time. | | | | of a factor with Modern coins. This would drive up |
| If you are a collector with a low budget, | | | | the cost of a rare coin if collectors are trying to |
| particularly a coin collector then you should | | | | complete their collection. |
| seriously consider taking up the hobby of Roman | | | | With ancient Roman coins there were a larger |
| coin collecting. | | | | number and variety created and so each collection |
| There are a number of reasons why I prefer | | | | will be different and rarity will be considered less |
| collecting Roman coins then other antiques | | | | of an issue. There are rare ancient coins of |
| including other ancient coins. Firstly there are a | | | | course. Some emperors were not around for long |
| wide variety of Ancient Roman coins to suite | | | | enough to have many coins minted during their |
| your tastes. This is largely due to the vast time | | | | reign and hence they will be harder to find and |
| and area that the Roman Empire covered. From | | | | cost more. |
| as early as 27 BC to 496 AD there were many | | | | Sellers of ancient coins will often use terms such |
| millions of coins minted spanning a large area of | | | | as scarce, rare or very rare to describe a coin. |
| the globe featuring coins that reflect the time | | | | Just because someone describes a coin as rare |
| from when they were created. | | | | does not mean that it actually is. Unfortunately, |
| Also its great to have a real portrait of an | | | | some sellers will attach this label to ancient coins |
| Emperor in your possession. Many emperors | | | | to attract novice collectors who do not know |
| came and went and it was customary to inscribe | | | | better. If someone describes a coin as rare or |
| the portrait of the emperor on the coins that | | | | scarce does the person explain why the coin is |
| were minted during their reign. | | | | rare? Does he give it an RIC number and explain |
| Roman coins are the most inexpensive of all | | | | the variety? If you are new to collecting ancient |
| Ancient coins. Other ancient coins include for | | | | coins, you should not jump on a coin just because |
| example Greek, Barbaric, Celtic, Parthian, | | | | is it described as rare. |
| Nabathaean, Islamic, Indian and Chinese. This can | | | | If you build up a collection of ancient coins you will |
| come as a surprise to many considering how | | | | be able to tell for yourself if a coin is uncommon, |
| ancient these coins are. Yet they can be even | | | | scarce or even rare. |
| cheaper then some of the modern day coins that | | | | Price of different Roman coins |
| coin collectors collect. There are two main reasons | | | | Truly rare coins that are sort after will not sell for |
| for this. Firstly as already stated the Roman | | | | much less than $100, and often for much more. |
| empire was large and so there were a lot of | | | | Hence, a coin of Constantine described as rare |
| coins minted. Many Roman coins are therefore | | | | with an asking price of just a few dollars is very |
| not as rare as many believe. Another reason is | | | | unlikely to be so. There are sellers on eBay who |
| that there are few collectors of ancient coins then | | | | claim that their coin is rare, or they have only |
| modern coins. This makes the demand for them | | | | seen one in 10 years, but there is another one |
| lower. | | | | just like it being offered on eBay by someone |
| There are also less forgeries of Roman coins then | | | | else. |
| other coins particulary modern day coins. This is | | | | To give you an idea of the variation of price for |
| largely due to the fact that they are less rare and | | | | Roman coins, for $5-10 you can buy decent |
| expensive. | | | | quality coins issued under a number of the |
| Another reason Roman coins are great to collect | | | | late-3rd and 4th century AD emperors. |
| is that they do not just have historical value but | | | | For about $10-20, you can collect a coin from the |
| also artistic value. These coins were cleverly and | | | | more famous 1st and 2nd century emperors, and |
| beautifully crafted and tell a story from the time | | | | of many later ones in very nice condition. In fact, |
| and area that they were minted. | | | | for $20 a coin, you can quite easily assemble a |
| Unlike most coins today Roman Coins had intrinsic | | | | collection of more than half of the emperors |
| value being comprised of precious metals worth | | | | (over 50) in very nice condition with clear portraits |
| many times more then their weight in that metal. | | | | and readable legends. |
| These precious metals include Gold, Silver and | | | | On top of this, there are numerous varieties |
| Bronze. This can make the coins more special and | | | | available for each emperor. Of course, just as |
| increase the value of the coin should you choose | | | | with modern coins, you can buy ones that cost |
| to collect the more expensive Roman coins. | | | | much more; ones that are in better shape or are |
| Factors that determine a coins worth | | | | more scarce, but if you are just interested in |
| The price of a coin ranges significantly due to a | | | | decent coins and history then you may not have |
| number of factors. The two biggest factors being | | | | to look any further. |
| the condition the coin is in and the grade of the | | | | Once in a while you might want to spend a bit |
| coin. | | | | more on a scarce emperor, or something that |
| The condition of a coin can depend on how | | | | really arouses your interest, or a coin in truly nice |
| corroded the coin has become while it has been in | | | | condition. But then again, you might be attracted |
| the ground or how it was stored. The grade of | | | | to cheaper coins that are not fully cleaned or |
| the coin is determined by how the coin was | | | | legible, which can add to their mystery. |
| minted when it was manufactured. These coins | | | | So, to summarize, buy coins that you find |
| were minted by hand and so do not always | | | | interesting and that appeal to you. No two coins |
| entirely circular or detailed. A coin can be less | | | | of the same type will be exactly the same; |
| detailed and of less value if it was struck by dies | | | | choose the one that you think is better value for |
| that were worn down. Determining the grade of a | | | | your money. Look around to see if a nicer looking |
| coin can be tricky and sometimes you simply | | | | coin might be also affordable if that is what you |
| have to go with how appealing and detailed the | | | | really want, and hence save yourself the trouble |
| coin is to your own eyes. | | | | of replacing it later or regretting that you bought |
| Another factor that determines a coins worth is | | | | it in the first place. Do not worry about rarity too |
| its rarity. Surprisingly rarity is less of a factor in | | | | much! |