The Coin Collector’s Notebook: My Journey Through Roman Numismatics

Spotting real Roman coins is like solving a puzzle from the past—each inscription, symbol, and portrait offers a clue to the emperor, the era, and the story behind the strike. I still remember the first Roman coin I ever held—a worn bronze as of Emperor Hadrian, its edges softened by nearly 2,000 years of handling, trade, and history. The emperor’s face was barely visible, but that didn’t matter. In that moment, I wasn’t just touching metal—I was holding the past. That coin lit a fire in me, and what began as curiosity quickly became a full-blown obsession.

Over the years, I’ve made mistakes, asked dumb questions, and been fooled more times than I care to admit. But I’ve also built a collection I’m proud of—one that tells a story far richer than any textbook ever could. If you’re thinking of starting your own journey through Roman numismatics, consider this your roadmap. These are the lessons I learned the hard way.

1. The First Lesson: Feel the Weight of History

There’s something unmistakable about the weight of a genuine Roman coin. Modern reproductions—even high-end ones—often get the look right, but they rarely get the feel.

A real denarius (around 3.9 grams) feels surprisingly solid for its size—like holding three paperclips stacked together. A sestertius, made of bronze, is even more convincing. These big coins (often 25–28 grams) sit in your palm with the weight of a AA battery. Then there are aurei, the ancient Roman gold coins. At 7.5 grams, they’re deceptively light for their size—part of a clever anti-counterfeiting strategy. The Romans wanted gold coins to feel precious, but not oversized.

My Rookie Mistake:

Early in my collecting days, I bought a so-called “silver denarius” from a flea market. It was beautiful—too beautiful, really. It felt just a little off. I weighed it: 5.2 grams. Turns out it was a cast replica. That extra weight? From the mold process, not authentic striking.

Now, I never buy a coin without weighing it first.

2. Reading Between the Letters: Decoding Roman Legends

To the untrained eye, a Roman coin’s inscriptions might look like a jumble of capital letters. But there’s a method to the madness—and once you start decoding, a whole world opens up.

Common Abbreviations:

And then there’s DIVVS—used on coins minted after an emperor’s death to honor them as gods. One of the most iconic examples? “DIVVS IVLIVS” for the deified Julius Caesar, one of the earliest examples of emperor worship on coinage.

Once you get the hang of these abbreviations, you can date and identify coins with remarkable accuracy—even when the portraits are worn or ambiguous.

3. The Heartbreak of Fakes: My Costly Education

If you collect Roman coins, you will encounter fakes. It’s a rite of passage. I’ve been duped more than once—and each time, I learned something new.

The Three Fakes That Fooled Me:

• The “Too Perfect” Nero
  It had mirror-sharp details and perfect centering. But the wear was artificial, the patina fake. It was a modern replica aged with chemicals.

• The Magnetic Denarius
  Real silver isn’t magnetic. This one stuck to my fridge. Turns out, it was pewter with a silver wash.

• The Fantasy Coin
  I bought what was sold as a rare Hadrian denarius. But after cross-checking with Roman Imperial Coinage, I found out Hadrian never issued that type in silver—only in bronze. I was out $200.

How I Authenticate Now:

• ✔ Loupe inspection – Look for flow lines from hand-striking, not the smoothness of casting.

• ✔ Acetone test – Gently removes fake patinas (real coins won’t be harmed).

• ✔ Compare to catalogs – I swear by Sear’s Roman Coins and Their Values and the RIC volumes.

And if in doubt—I walk away. No coin is worth the heartbreak of a fake.

4. Where the Deals Are (and Where They Aren’t)

Not all Roman coins are expensive. In fact, many are surprisingly affordable if you know where to look.

Best Places for Beginners to Spotting Real Roman Coins

• Late Roman bronzes (especially 3rd–4th century): Many go for under $50.

• Problem coins (cleaned, holed, or corroded): Often sold at 30–50% discounts.

• Coin shows: Dealers will negotiate better prices on the last day to reduce what they have to pack up.

Places I Avoid:

• ❌ eBay listings with stock photos – If it’s not the exact coin, skip it.

• ❌ “Unsearched lots” or “mystery bags” – Usually filled with low-grade or barbarous imitations.

• ❌ Private sellers without return policies – If they don’t stand by the coin, neither should you.

Tip: Always ask for provenance or a dealer’s source if the coin is high-value.

5. My Favorite Coin: A Personal Treasure

Out of all the coins I own, one remains closest to my heart: a sestertius of Hadrian (RIC 617), showing Britannia seated on the reverse.

I found it in a junk bin at a coin fair in London. It cost £80, which felt steep at the time. The reverse was weakly struck, but the obverse was crisp—Hadrian’s beard and laurel crown still clear.

This was the first coin I ever attributed myself using Sear’s catalog. It’s not rare, it’s not flawless, and it wouldn’t impress in an auction. But it’s mine, and it reminds me of why I started collecting in the first place.

6. Advice I Wish I’d Gotten Sooner

If I could go back and give newbie-me a few tips, here’s what I’d say:

• 📚 Buy the book before the coin. Roman Coins and Their Values by David Sear is an essential starting point.

• 🏛️ Visit museums. Handling genuine coins—especially uncleaned ones—teaches you how the real thing feels.

• 💰 Start with bronzes. They’re cheaper, more plentiful, and offer tons of variety.

• 🤝 Join a community. Forums like NumisForums or Reddit’s r/AncientCoins are great for feedback and learning of identifying Roman coins.

• 🪙 Track your collection. I keep a spreadsheet with RIC numbers, weights, purchase price, and notes.

And most importantly—don’t chase perfection. Coins are history, not jewelry. Wear, scratches, and dents are part of the story.

Final Thoughts on Spotting Real Roman Coins

Every collector begins with uncertainty. My first “find” was a crusty Constantine I follis I bought for $15. It’s barely legible—but I still own it. Why? Because it taught me my first lesson about spotting real Roman coins: trust your instincts, but verify with knowledge.

Authentic Roman coins aren’t just collectible—they’re historical documents. They passed through ancient marketplaces, crossed borders in legionary pay chests, and were buried in forgotten hoards. Some funded temples. Others bribed officials. All of them carry stories.

So if you’re new to Roman numismatics, take it slow. Learn from mistakes. Examine the edge, feel the weight, read the legends, and never stop comparing real coins to references.

✅ For Vetted Purchases:

If you’re looking to grow your collection safely, I highly recommend checking out trusted dealers and marketplaces like numismatics or your local numismatic society. They’ve saved me from more fakes than I’d like to admit.

And for a step-by-step guide to authenticating ancient coins, check out our resource:
👉 Learn how to spotting real Roman coins