Blog

Every coin is a small object with a large story. This is where we explore both — the narrative history of ancient coinage across Greek, Roman, and Byzantine worlds; the reference guides that let you read any ancient coin with confidence; practical guidance on care and conservation; and honest advice for collectors navigating a market full of hype. Four topics, one thread: the coins that survived.

Worth of Roman Denarius 720

The Purchasing Power of a Roman Denarius: What a Roman Silver Coin Could Buy

The Roman Denarius was a standard silver coin that served as the backbone of Roman currency for over 500 years. Originally valued at 10 asse, the Denarius was introduced during the Second Punic War in 211 BC and was used until AD 238. However, continuous debasement caused its replacement by the Antoninianus. Despite its debasement, the Roman Denarius remains a valuable and sought-after artifact for collectors and historians alike.

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Ancient coins spilling from pot

The Rauceby Hoard, Largest Roman coin hoard found in UK

The Rauceby Hoard is the largest recorded hoard of Roman coins found in Britain to date, discovered by a detectorist near Ancaster in July 2017. The hoard, consisting of 3,099 tetrarchic nummi dating from 294 to 307 AD, was found in a ceramic pot buried in a large oval pit. The hoard is believed to be a ceremonial or votive offering, providing further evidence for so-called ‘ritual’ hoarding in Roman Britain.

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From Republic to Empire Ten Coins That Tell the Story

From Republic to Empire: Ten Coins That Tell the Story

The Roman Empire didn’t appear overnight. It emerged slowly, across four turbulent centuries — civil wars, assassinations, reforms that were supposed to be temporary, emperors who insisted they were merely “first among equals” while their coins told a different story. Ten coins from the collection trace the full arc, from Republican moneyers advertising their families to the desperate restoration antoniniani of the third-century crisis. The history books came later. The coins were written now.

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What is Bronze Disease 720

How to Identify and Treat Bronze Disease on Ancient Coins: A Collector’s Guide

It is the nightmare of every ancient coin collector: a fuzzy, bright green growth that doesn’t just sit on the surface, but slowly eats away at the metal itself. Unlike a stable, beautiful patina, Bronze Disease is a destructive chemical reaction that can turn a prized Roman sestertius into a pile of dust if left untreated.

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The Roman Coin Denomination A Timeline of Unity and Inflation 640 1

Power and Profit: A History of Roman Coin Denominations

From the gleaming gold Aureus to the common bronze Follis, the coinage of the Roman Empire tells a fascinating story of economic power, cultural unity, and eventual debasement. Navigating the diverse denominations—Aurei, Denarii, Sestertii, and more—can be a technical challenge for new collectors and history buffs alike. This comprehensive guide breaks down the essential metals (AV, AR, and AE), identifies the key visual markers like the radiate crown, and explains how the Roman monetary system evolved through centuries of prosperity and crisis.

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Coin cleaning setup with electrolysis equipment

Electrolysis on Ancient Coins: Should You Actually Do It?

Electrolysis is the fastest way to strip crust and corrosion from a heavily-encrusted ancient coin — minutes instead of months. But most professional conservators advise against it, and for reasons that go beyond “it removes the patina.” Here’s what electrolysis actually does to an ancient coin, why silver coins and any piece with good patina should never go near it, and what the safer alternatives are when you have a genuine “uncleanable” on your hands.

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The Thrilling Quest of Cleaning Ancient Coins

Unearthing the Past: The Thrilling Quest of Cleaning Ancient Coins

Imagine holding a “pebble” of dirt and realize that beneath that crust lies the face of a Roman Emperor who ruled seventeen centuries ago. Welcome to the addictive, hands-on world of uncleaned ancient coins—the only hobby where you get to be a digital archaeologist from the comfort of your own home. These coins, lost in the mud of the 4th Century A.D. by Roman peasants and soldiers alike, offer a unique window into a world of “Barbarian” invasions and the rise of Christianity. In this comprehensive guide, we move beyond the basics of preservation to the thrill of the “reveal.” Learn how to identify common Roman reverse types like the “Camp Gate,” discover the professional secrets of olive oil soaks and thermal shock, and find out why patience is the most important tool in your restoration kit. It’s time to stop just collecting history and start unearthing it for yourself.

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Roman coin on wooden table

So You Found a Roman Coin: How Much Is It Worth?

You found a Roman coin — maybe in an old drawer, at a flea market, or in your garden. Now you want to know what it’s worth. The honest answer is probably less than you hoped, and that’s actually fine. Most ancient Roman coins sell for $10 to $50 because millions still exist. Here’s a realistic guide to what drives value and how to buy or sell without getting misled by “RARE!” hype.

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Coins displayed: struck vs. cast fakes

Is Your Ancient Coin a Fake? The Ultimate Guide to Spotting Cast vs. Struck

Is your piece of history a genuine relic or a modern deception? For many collectors, the fear of buying a forgery is the biggest barrier to entry in the numismatic world. In this deep dive, we pull back the curtain on the forger’s craft to show you exactly how to identify the “tell-tale” signs of a fake. From the incriminating raised “casting seams” hidden along the edge of a coin to the “mushy” details and suspicious plating often found on modern casts, we teach you the three essential skills every collector needs to master. Learn why a simple digital scale is your most powerful defensive tool and how to distinguish the natural wear of a 2,000-year-old Roman silver denarius from the artificial aging of a fraudulent copy. Don’t just buy a coin—buy the knowledge to protect your collection.

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