The Ancient Coin Collector’s Handbook

The real stories of ancient coins guide, their values & real-world tips from a fellow collector guide that will help you achieve your goal.

1. So… Why Ancient Coins Guide?

You ever pick up a coin that’s older than the language you’re reading this in? I have. And I’ll be honest — the first time I held a coin from ancient Greece, I didn’t know much about it. It wasn’t the prettiest, or the rarest. But the fact that it had passed through someone’s hands 2,000 years ago? That hit different.

Ancient coins aren’t just collectibles. They’re touchable history. They’ve survived empires, fires, floods, and frauds. Every dent, scratch, and worn-down inscription has a story behind it. This guide isn’t just for investors or historians — it’s for people who want to feel the past in their palm.

2. A Short (But Juicy) History of Ancient Coins

Let’s keep it simple: Before coins, people bartered. You give me a goat, I give you grain. But around 600 BC, the Lydians (in what’s now Turkey) figured out that stamping a chunk of electrum with a lion head made trade a lot easier. That was the birth of coinage.

From there, things snowballed:

• Greek coins? Think gods, owls, and warrior kings. Some of the finest artwork ever struck on metal.

• Roman coins? Bold, political, and packed with propaganda. If a Roman emperor sneezed, chances are someone made a coin about it.

• Byzantine coins? Christian icons, golden solidi, and a lot of faces that looked like Jesus and the Emperor had merged into one.

Each era minted its own identity. And we collectors? We’re just here trying to piece together the puzzle one coin at a time.

3. Types of Ancient Coins (And Why Some Are Worth a Fortune)

Let me save you some Googling: Not all ancient coins are valuable. But the right one, in the right condition, with the right backstory? That’s a gem.

🏺 Greek Coins

• Drachma – A modest silver coin from city-states like Athens and Corinth.

• Tetradrachm – The real showstopper. Four drachmas’ worth of silver, often with exquisite designs. Athena’s owl, Alexander’s lion, or the face of Apollo in high relief.

🏛️ Roman Coins

• Denarius – The backbone of Roman coinage. Silver. Standard issue. Found all over the Empire.

• Aureus – Gold. Rare. Expensive. If you’re holding a real one in good shape, congrats — that’s something special.

✝️ Byzantine Coins

• Solidus – Introduced by Constantine. Gold, durable, and traded from Constantinople to Carthage.

• Follis – Chunky bronze coins used for daily transactions. Not glamorous, but still collectible.

💡 Pro tip: Value isn’t just about metal. It’s also about history, rarity, condition, and context. A worn bronze coin from an obscure Roman usurper might be worth more than a shiny gold one from a common emperor.

4. Spotting Fakes and Finding the Real Deal

I’ll be blunt: fakes are everywhere. Some are obvious; some are terrifyingly good. Here’s how I’ve learned to sniff them out:

✔️ Inscriptions – Learn to read basic Greek and Latin characters. The style and spacing of letters reveal a lot.

✔️ Metal – Real silver has a ring to it. Bronze oxidizes. Gold doesn’t corrode. Learn the feel.

✔️ Weight – Counterfeiters often mess this up. Check against known references. Off by 0.5 grams? Red flag.

✔️ Mint Marks – Tiny symbols can tell you the mint and time period.

✔️ Don’t trust eBay blindly – I’ve bought some decent coins there, but also got burned. Twice.

🧠 Best move? Use reputable dealers. Even better — find one who collects too. They’re more likely to care about authenticity than a wholesaler flipping stock.

5. Where I Buy (And Sometimes Sell) My Coins

Let’s be honest, coin shows aren’t always practical. So where do I hunt?

Trusted Online Dealers:

• VCoins – Professional listings only.

• MA-Shops – European dealers. Good for obscure stuff.

• Numis Don – Yep, that’s us. Handpicked listings only.

Auction Houses:

• CNG (Classical Numismatic Group) – If you’re serious about quality.

• Stack’s Bowers – Big names, big coins, big bids.

• Heritage Auctions – Easy to navigate and full of variety.

Community Hotspots:

• CoinTalk Forum – Tons of friendly (and some grumpy) experts.

• Reddit /r/AncientCoins – Casual but often useful.

• Facebook Collector Groups – Hit or miss, but some gems appear.

⚠️ Warning: Always check return policies and ask for provenance if the price seems too good.

6. How I Store My Coins (And What I Learned the Hard Way)

I once ruined a nice bronze with a cheap plastic flip. Never again.

Here’s what I recommend:

🔹 2×2 Coin Holders – Archival-safe only. Avoid PVC.
🔹 Capsules or Trays – If you’re going for presentation.
🔹 Do Not Clean Them! – Seriously. That “gunk” is patina, and collectors love it. Scrub it off and the coin loses half its value.
🔹 Dry, Cool Storage – I use silica packets in my coin box. Works wonders.

Want to go all out? Get a climate-controlled coin cabinet. But honestly, a sealed box with anti-humidity measures does the trick.

7. Final Thoughts from a Fellow Collector

Collecting ancient coins isn’t about being perfect. But to learn more about history than any textbook ever taught you.

And one day, you’ll hold a coin and say, “This was struck when Julius Caesar was still alive.”

That’s the moment you’re in for.

So whether you’re just starting or already neck-deep in tetradrachms and solidi, welcome to the club. You’re not just collecting coins — you’re keeping history alive.

🧭 Ready to dive deeper?
Join the Numis Don Newsletter for expert tips, ancient coins guide plus stories, and rare listings — no fluff, no spam, just pure numismatic gold.