28 April 2025
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Roman coinage was used across a vast area of the world and across centuries, meaning there is much for collectors to learn and collect. Discover more about Roman coins in this introductory guide.
Your beginner's guide to collecting Roman coins
Roman coins are popular with coin collectors. The coins were issued worldwide for hundreds of years, which means that there are many different varieties to collect.
Roman currency can generally be split into two categories:
- Roman Republic (c. 500 – 27 BC) – This period includes Roman Republican period coinage, such as those from 211 BC and the 4th century BC, when early bronze and silver coins like the aes grave and the denarius began to circulate.
- Roman Empire (27 BC – AD 476) – Defined by imperial control over currency, this era saw the development and widespread use of coins minted under emperors like Augustus, Nero, and Constantine.
Suggested article: How much is a shilling worth?
Influenced by the Greeks, the first coins of the Roman Republic often featured images of mythical animals, gods and goddesses, or particular symbols.
Meanwhile, the Roman Empire saw the coins feature portraits of leaders and Roman emperors, increasingly whilst they were still living, such as Julius Caesar.
In ancient Rome, the Romans discovered that gold and silver coins could be used as propaganda, underlining the power and wisdom of a leader and even suggesting they had god-like qualities.
What type of Roman coins should you collect?
You can find gold, silver and copper Roman coins, and, as you would expect, gold coins and silver coins are generally more expensive to add to your collection, depending on condition and rarity. As ever, you should set yourself a budget first and then work within that.
Such is the wide range of Roman coins available, there are many different ways to form a collection:
- Collect a particular period
- Focus on a particular leader
- Choose a theme, such as gods or animals
- Form a collection of provincial Roman coins, from particular mints
- Look for coins that reflect a historic event
- Focus on a specific coinage
What different types of Roman coins were there?
During the Roman Republic, especially in times of conflict like the Punic Wars, Civil Wars, and with figures like Mark Antony rising to power, the Roman currency system changed a lot, reflecting the economic struggles and political unrest of the time.
Some of the most popular coinage precious metals are described below:
- As (plural 'assess') – this bronze coin, and later copper, coin was used throughout the Roman Republic and Roman Empire. The As reduced in size over the years but was generally around 2.6 to 3 cm in diameter.
- Dupondius (plural 'dupondii') – many examples look similar to the as, but is actually worth 2 asses and its name means 'two-pounder'.
- Sestertius (plural 'sestertii') – this coin was silver during the Roman Republic and increased in size during the Empire, when it was created using bronze. The Sestertius was worth 4 asses.
- Denarius (plural 'denarii') – perhaps the most well known Roman coin, the silver denarius was originally worth 10 asses, its name literally means 'containing ten'. As inflation took hold and the value of the as decreased, the denarius was worth 16 assess.
Where can I find Roman coins for sale?
Starting a Roman coin collection is straightforward, and whilst the coins you can buy cheaply may be of a low quality, there is something very exciting about owning these small pieces of history and gradually finding out more about the coins.
Budget Roman coins can be found on internet sites such as eBay and delcampe.net, whilst you can also find low-quality items in dealers' 'bargain buckets' at coin fairs.
Many dealers specialise in Roman coinage, you the advice and confidence you need to take the next step and buy a more valuable Roman coin. Find a dealer in our online directory.
Looking to buy Roman rarities or invest in gold or silver Roman coins? Many of the world's top auction houses offer rare Roman coins, so keep your eye on forthcoming sales.
Want even more coin collecting information, market insight and in-depth collecting guides? Try the latest issue of Coin Collector magazine today! Click here to get your digital copy.