Ancient Roman Gold Coins: A Collector’s Guide to Power, Portraits & Prestige

Why These Coins Still Captivate Us

There’s something surreal about holding a gold coin from Ancient Rome. You’re not just holding currency — you’re holding imperial propaganda, personal power, and 2,000 years of untouched history in the palm of your hand.

Gold Roman coins are elegant, bold, and brilliantly struck. But more than that — they’re alive. Each one whispers stories of emperors, battles, triumphs, and betrayals. If you’re a collector, you know: these coins are in a class of their own.

What Were Ancient Roman Gold Coins?

The two primary types of Roman gold coins you’ll encounter as a collector are:

• Aureus (plural: aurei) – The backbone of Roman gold coinage during the Republic and early Empire

• Solidus – Introduced later, under Constantine, and became the new standard

Both are heavy hitters in the collecting world.

Fast Facts:

• Purity: Nearly pure gold (~98%)

• Weight: Aureus = ~7–8g; Solidus = ~4.5g

• Value: Always high-value, used for major payments, military salaries, and trade

• Designs: Portraits of emperors, empresses, deities, and scenes of victory or peace

A Brief History of Roman Gold Coins

🏛️ The Roman Republic (pre-27 BCE)

Gold coins weren’t the norm yet — they were issued during wars to fund armies. Think of them like emergency cash.

• Aureus of Sulla (80 BCE) – A bold move to legitimize his dictatorship

• Aureus of Pompey (48 BCE) – Features the famed general before his downfall

These coins are scarce and command big prices.

🏛️ Imperial Rome (27 BCE – 3rd Century CE)

This is where gold coinage takes off. Starting with Augustus, emperors began using coins to shape their public image.

Highlights:

• Aureus of Augustus – The first Roman emperor, often crowned with a laurel

• Aureus of Nero – Known for its intricate bust and infamous history

• Aureus of Hadrian – Beautifully detailed; often tied to his travels across the empire

These coins are collector favorites — especially when well-struck and centered.

🛡️ Late Roman Empire (4th Century CE onward)

Gold coinage shifted again under Constantine the Great.

• Solidus of Constantine (309 CE) – Stable, widely accepted, and long-lasting

• Solidus of Theodosius II (408 CE) – Exceptionally well-preserved examples exist

The solidus lasted for centuries, well into the Byzantine Empire.

The Most Valuable Ancient Roman Gold Coin

While many gold coins are rare and desirable, one stands above the rest:

🪙 Aureus of Julius Caesar (44 BCE)

• Features Caesar’s portrait

• Minted shortly before his assassination

• Historical gravity + rarity = 7-figure price at auction

Honorable mention:

• Eid Mar Denarius – Not gold, but the coin struck by Brutus to celebrate Caesar’s murder. It’s infamous, iconic, and extremely rare.

How Were These Coins Made?

It’s worth appreciating the process — especially when you hold one in hand.

Ancient Minting Process:

1. Gold was mined or looted (yes, war-funded minting was a thing)

2. Smelted and purified

3. Planchets (coin blanks) were shaped and cut

4. Engraved dies struck by hand with a hammer

Every single coin is slightly unique. That’s part of the charm — and helps with authenticity checks today.

Tips for Buying Ancient Roman Gold Coins

🛡️ If you’re serious about collecting, here’s how to play it smart:

✔️ Always buy from reputable sources:

• Heritage Auctions

• Classical Numismatic Group (CNG)

• VCoins

✔️ Authenticate it:

• Look for professional grading or certification (NGC Ancients is solid)

• Confirm weight, style, and die match with references like RIC (Roman Imperial Coinage)

✔️ Condition matters:

• Centering, strike quality, and surface preservation all impact value

Coins Worth Adding to Your Collection

Here’s a curated list of must-know Roman gold coins, whether you’re building a serious collection or just starting to dream.

🏛️ Roman Republic:

• Aureus of Sulla (80 BCE) – Dictator imagery

• Aureus of Pompey (48 BCE) – Pre-Caesar civil war

🏺 Roman Empire:

• Aureus of Augustus (27 BCE) – The OG emperor

• Aureus of Tiberius (14 CE) – Known as the “Tribute Penny”

• Aureus of Nero (54 CE) – Artistic portrait with dark history

• Aureus of Hadrian (117 CE) – Celebrates his provincial tours

⚔️ Late Empire:

• Solidus of Constantine (309 CE) – The game changer

• Solidus of Theodosius II (408 CE) – A masterpiece of stability and iconography

Why Collect Roman Gold Coins?

I’ve asked myself this many times. Why go for gold?

And every time, the answer is simple:

• History – You’re holding something that once paid soldiers, funded temples, or traveled across empires

• Art – The engraving on these coins? Unmatched.

• Value – Rare pieces go up in price. Period.

• Connection – Nothing beats the feeling of holding something Julius Caesar might’ve approved.

How to Care for Your Coins

These are ancient. Treat them with respect.

• Use coin capsules or archival flips (no PVC!)

• Never clean them — not even a soft brush

• Store in a cool, dry place (preferably temperature-controlled)

• Use gloves if you handle them directly

🧼 Cleaning = value loss. Always.

Final Word: Gold That Tells a Story

Ancient Roman gold coins are more than investments. They’re living history — struck at the height of Rome’s power, touched by emperors, and carried across continents.

Every aureus or solidus you collect adds a new layer to your personal museum.

Start small or go big — either way, you’re not just collecting coins.
You’re preserving a legacy.