Augustus Coins: Roman coins, Greek coins, Byzantine coins, and other ancient coins for sale
Interesting ancient coins, offered by Augustus Coins
If you want to buy ancient coins and you are in the US, you are beginning at the right page. My coins are interesting and in nice condition, but inexpensive; all cost much less than $1000. If you want to learn more about ancient coins, visit my educational ancient-coin website (begun in 1997 and expanded very many times since then). If you like to learn from books, visit my page of ancient-coin literature. For more about me, see see here.
Contents: This is the main page with Roman coins and some of newest listings from other series too, at the top. For late Roman, Byzantine, or Greek coins, or books about them, use the links to the left.
Skip down to Republican, 1st C, 2nd C, or 3rd C , Tetrarchy (Diocletian - Licinius II). (Links to other series are on the left sidebar.)
Recent: 2024, July 22: Philip II from Nisibis, a common Constantine, a Constantine commemorative, and a Theodosius AE3, all on this page. A Turoman figural bronze not is S&S on the Byzantine page.
2024, July 17: Alexius III on the Byzantine page.
2024, July 16: Isaac II, on the Byzantine page.
2024, July 13: Anonymous folles of Class H and Class I on the Byzantine page. Honorius AE2 on the late Roman (Valentinian and later) page. Every coin on that page has had its price reduced today, most substantially. Take a look.
2024, July 12: Greek tiny silver fraction from Teos in Ionia. Constantius quarter-follis. Romanus IV, 1068-1071, who lost the famous Battle of Manzikert and a Turkoman figural bronze, Begteginid, both on the Byzantine page.
2024, July 7: Three excellent ancient imitations. Sabina, wife of Hadrian, slabbed.
2024, June 26: An entirely new page of 5th century late Roman and Vandal coins.
2024, June 20, Gordian III and Tranquillina at Singara, Mesoptoamia, during his Persian war.
2024, June 13: Four coins of the First Crusade on the Byzantine page.
2024, June 8: Class A2 rare spelling variant and Turkoman S&S 46 on the Byzantine page.
A new page of ancient imitations from the time of Constantine. (I spent years working on my collection of imitations and now I am passing some of them along.)
wwestyc wwestypage
Prices are in brackets: [$xx].
To order or simply to ask me questions, write me, Warren, at .
(I am on Pacific time, so if you are in the east and write me at 8:00 am it is only 5:00 am where I am.)
My page of terms, which are essentially repeated here:
All coins are guaranteed genuine.
Terms of Sale. Please tell me if you are not in the US. If you are outside the US, shipping will be $20 or $25. (I'm very sorry shipping outside the US is so expensive.) See more here.
After I confirm I still have the coin:
If you are in the US you can pay with Zelle (preferred) or PayPal to my e-mail address. (I also accept checks.) (Why I prefer Zelle.)
Shipping in the US is $2 for orders under $25, $3 up to $50, $4 up to $100, and an additional $2 for each hundred thereafter.
Reminder: When you buy a coin you must add in the shipping cost. Don't think a coin offered at $20 elsewhere will cost you $20. It won't. Shipping could easily be $6 or more. In contrast, I charge only $2 for shipping a $20 coin in the US.
Purple means "SOLD" and no longer available
Newest first. After that, Roman coins before the 4th century are in chronological order below. Later Roman coins are on other pages linked in the sidebar.
(Greek, Byzantine, and other coins are on their own pages with links at the top left.)
Newest next. Skip the newest coins and go down to Roman coins in chronological order
Philip II
25 mm. 10.82 grams. Repatinated.
AVTOK K M IOVΛI ΦIΛIΠΠOC CЄB
(Autokrater Caesar Marcus Julius Philippus Sebastos)
Nisibis sometimes distinguished the two Philips by having Philip face right and Philip II face left.
Rev: IOY CЄΠ KOΛΩ NЄCIBI MHT,
(Julia Septimia Colonia Nisibis Metropolis)
Tetrastyle temple, with triangular pediment, containing statue of city goddess seated facing; above her head, ram (Aries) leaping right; below, river god Mygdonius swimming right.
Sear Greek Imperial 4157. BMC Mesopotamia Nesibi [sic, that is the way "Nisibis" is spelled on coins] 21, attributed there to Philip I, with a footnote "Some of these may be of Philip Junior, especially nos. 21-4 on which the face appears to be beardless."
RPC VIII "unassigned; ID 2962." This coin is slightly larger in diameter than a US quarter and twice as thick. [$38] I think it is very attractive. The name of the city is clear. I am a big fan of coins from Mespotamia where Rome and Persia were so often in conflict.
Constantine
GLORIA EXERCITVS
SMANΔ from Antioch.
18-17 mm. 2.31 grams.
Fully legible. Nice portrait. [$12]
Theodosius
AE3. 18-17 mm. 1.98 grams.
CONCORDIA AVGGG (three Gs)
ANTΔ for Antioch with
Θ Φ
K
in fields.
Constantinoplis setaed right, right foot on tiny prow, left hand holdin a globe.
[$24] Lovely! [You can pay 130 € for a "featured" worse one on vcoins. Keep track of the dealers who overprice coins. Then, when you find a new fascinating type in their stock you will think to look around and save money on the type by waiting (or maybe you won't have to) and buying it elsewhere.]
Constantine the Great, 307-337.
16-15 mm. 1.37 grams.
His veiled (because he is dead) head right
DV CONSTANTINVS PF AVGG (DV for DIVVS, deified)
Constantine in quadriga right being welcomed to heaven by the Hand of God.
SMANZ for Antioch, officina Z.
Repatinated. Lovely. Very well centered (It is a small coin).
All the legend. All the mintmark. All the quadriga. The clear Hand of God. A nice coin [$24]
Compare with this $125 coin:
https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/herakles_numismatics/71/product/divus_constantine_i__the_great__follis_alexandria_mint_hand_of_god/1287977/Default.aspx
and all the others you can find.
Ionia, Teos. Tiny!
6.2-5.9 mm. 0.12 grams.
Griffin's head right with protruding tongue.
Incise squre divided into four parts.
SNG Turkey I Kayhan 603 (0.16 grams) "475-450 BC).
Rosen 604, page 29 (0.18 grams) "tetartemorion, 520-478 BC"
Klein 481 is this type and 0.23 grams.
flan chip behind head. [$23]
Would this be the smallest coin in your collection?
Valentinian. Base metal. 16 - 14 mm. 1.40 grams. Thin and small.
DN VALENTI[NI ]ANVS...
VOT
MVLT
XX in wreath.
This reverse legend is not in RIC. The style is pretty good, and it was found in England (bought from Andrew Dyke at the Midlands Coin Fair, March 10, 1996), where siliquae are common, so I have wondered if it is a counterfeit siliqua.
Not a known type of AE. Not a known type of AR. [$39 SOLD]
Gordian III, 238-244
"Provincial sestertius." 33-30 mm.
Singara, Mesopotamia. Coins of Singara are scarce and all of them are of Gordian III or Tranquillina.
Gordian III and Tranquillina, facing each other
AVTΟK K M ANT ΓOPΔIANON CAB TPANKVΛΛINA CЄB
Turretted city goddess seated left on pile of rocks, holding ears of grain, small river god swimming left at her feet.
AVP CЄΠ KOΛ CINΓAPA
"CЄΠ" for Septiia, "KOΛ" for "colony" and CINΓAPA for Singara
BMC Greek Mesopotamia Singara 8. Sear Greek Imperial 3804.
RPC on-line 7.2, 3472
Portraits rough. Well-centered for type. Ex Aegis, Jan 5, 1981 at $55. [Still $55 SOLD]
Trajan, 98-117
The smallest Roman denomination! Sometimes called an "uncia." It is much smaller than a quadrans.
Struck very near the end of his reign, c. 117.
12.3- 10.1 mm. 0.75 grams. Tiny!
His bust right with no legend.
"SC" in wreath.
Sear II 3250, page 170 "Rome, 112-117"
RIC Trajan 443, says probably 101-103 (unlikely, since there is a short-lived similar type of Hadrian)
BMC 1883. p. cvi "Very probably of Roman mintage--possibly Antioch."
The only other coin of a similar type is of Hadrian, distinguished only by its portrait of Hadrian.
Recognizable bust of Trajan and clear "SC" in wreath. Tiny! Nice natural earthen cover. [$39] (There is another one, below)
It is nice considering it is so small. PRC III 3681 Antioch "chalkous" "product of Rome." "Struck for circulation in Syria".
Anonymous AE. Reign of Maximinus II, 310-313 AD.
16mm.
Antioch mint.
GENIO ANTIOCHENI, Tyche of Antioch seated facing on rock, river god Orontes swimming at her feet. Reverse - APOLLONI SANCTO, Apollo standing left pouring from patera and holding lyre, S in right field, SMA in exergue. McAlee170a // Vagi 2954.
[$22]
Valerian II, son of Gallienus
VICTORIA PART
I love coins relating to wars between Roman and Persia. This is a scarce type (primarily for Valerian I) which ironically references Valerian's (untimately disastrous) war with "Parthia" (by then we call them Sasanians)
Comparable coins on vcoins cost far more:[$59]
Theodosius, 379-395
AE 2. 22 mm.
GLORIA ROMANORVM
ANTB Antioch mint
[$22]
Arcadius
AE2. 21-20 mm.
VIRTVS EXERCITI
ANTS Antioch.
Black with light cover [$24]
Maximinus II, 305-3134
22-21 mm. 3.99 grams.
RIC Antioch 164b, "312"
GENIO AVGVSTI, Genius holding radiate head of Sol
ANT
Lovely white cover.
Interesting use of EΔ for 9, to avoid using Θ which would be the usual Greek 9, but it is a Roman symbol for "death".
[$22]
[$9, reduced to $7 + $6 shipping (It is too thick for a regular envelope)] (If you also order coins, they will not add to the shipping cost unless the coins are expensive.)
Books! Coinage and Finances in the Reign of Domitian: A.D. 81-96 (BAR International) Paperback, 1983. Beautifully hardbound in heavy red cloth covers. Somebody did a nice job having it covered. The original cardcover book and its cover is all there after a flyleaf. Title in black on the spine. Unmarked and seems nearly new. [ $119+$5 shipping.]
(For other books and catalogs, see http://augustuscoins.com/numislit.html ]
Book. The large two-volume book by Estiot on coins of Aurelian and Florian, "Monnaies de l'Empire Romain, D' Aureline a Florien, 270-276", with 456 pages in French (most lists, tables, and coin IDs, easy to read), plus 100 page plates and 16 pages of color enlargements and many tables. This copy is excellent.
None on Amazon. AddAll at $199 or $220 but shipped from Europe.
Here, a very good two-volume copy at $155, including shipping in the US only.
Please compare prices with those on acsearch and vcoins and any other sites you use. I intend my prices to be below the prices for comparable coins on vcoins.
***** I also have a page of numismatic literature (ancient-coin auction catalogs, books) for sale.
Second Century
Trajan (98-117)
Hadrian (117-138)
Hadrian, 117-138. Struck c. 117. The smallest Roman denomination! Sometimes called an "uncia." It is much smaller than a quadrans.
Struck very near the beginning of his reign, c. 117. (The only other coin of a similar type is of Trajan, which is distinguished only by its portrait of Trajan. See the next coin.)
10.5-9.5 mm. 1.15 grams. Tiny!
His bust right with no legend.
"SC" in wreath.
Sear II 3250, page 170 "Rome, 112-117"
RIC Hadrian 629b.
Sear II 3705 page 170
Tiny! Good portrait for the small size. [$39, reduced to $33] PRC III 3681 Antioch "chalkous" "product of Rome." "Struck for circulation in Syria". It seems these of Hadrian are poorly made compared to those of Trajan. This one is nice "for type."
19 mm fourré. (ancient imitation) 2.53 grams.
Hadrian, 117-138
IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG
/PM TRP COS III, Victory right holding trophy forward
plated piece: 19 mm. 6:00. 2.53 grams
Remarkably nice reverse.
Prototype: RIC 101 "AD 119-122", BMC 212, plate 51.1. Hill 237 "AD 123"
[$29, reduced to $24 SOLD]
ex Esty collection of ancient imitations (old photo taken with a scanner back in the day).
Central Empire, Claudius II (268-270) and later:
For a page of ancient imitations from the third century, see here.
Tetrarchy begins here!
Diocletian (284-305)
[$25, reduced to $19 SOLD] Diocletian
IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS AVG
VICTORIA AVGG
RIC 277
Club and lion-skin!
Maximian, 286-305.
22 mm. 4.23 grams. Heavy with better silver than typical.
IMP C MAXIMIANVS AVG
HERCVLI INVICTO AVGG
Hercules standing left holding Victory on globe, lion-skin over left arm, leaning on club.
S in left field, nothing in exergue.
Obverse: radiate bust left holding club over far shoulder, lion skin over near (his left) shoulder.
RIC V.II Maximian 367, page 263, "Lugdunum, 289"
Bastien 190 p.152, 5th emission, 2nd officina (287-289 AD).
Sear 13132.
Rare bust type. Lots of silvering. [$295, reduced to $235, reduced to $195] Please compare with prices elsewhere.
Quarter Follis of Siscia
19 mm.
Maximian
IMP C MA MAXIMIANVS PF AVG
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI
SIS
This is not the usual full-size follis, rarther the scarcer (but not rare) "quarter follis".
RIC Siscia 146, "R3" (RIC rarities are out of date.)
plate IX
Failmezger 29 [$16, reduced to $14]
[$39, reduced to $35] Maximian post-reform radiate. 20 mm.
VOT / XX in wreath, struck 297-8.
Vows for 20 years of reign (which is what Diocletian wanted and imposed)
RIC Rome 85b, "Scarce" and this officina is unlisted. (It is listed for nearby issues, but not this type.)
Should it be worth a lot more for being "not in RIC"? Maybe a little. If that appeals to you, and it does to most collectors somewhat, buy this one. Most collectors don't have any coins "not in RIC."
Constantius, 293-305-306
20-19 mm
Struck as Caesar
IMP VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C
VOT XX in wreath
No visible officina number
RIC VI Rome 87e variety. "c.297-8." Footnote 2 says some apparently have no officina number. [$49, reduced to $33]
VOT XX is hard to explain for Constantius with this date. It might be the vows of Diocletian (not Constantius) reconfirmed at year 15 (as proposed by RIC). It might be the coin is really from c. 303 (as the Carthage coins above) and this is vows suscepta for Constantius on the occasion of his ten-year vows. Of, it might be really from c. 303 and the vow number belongs to Diocletian. It is certainly the case that vow numbers can belong to the senior ruler and not the ruler named on the coin.
[$39, reduced to $23] Constantius I. Struck c. 297-8 at Rome. 19 mm. 3.14 grams.
VOT XX A in wreath.
RIC VI Rome 88a. page 360.
A reference to the "20 years" intended for the tetrarchy.
Rare. None on vcoins or MA-Shops as of this writing.
Galerius (293-305-311)
Maxentius. 306-312
half-follis. 20 mm. 3.13 grams.
VICTORIA AETERNA ANG N
Victory standing right inscribing shield with VOT X, captive below to left
R S
RIC Rome 227 "scarce" struck "c. 310"
[$59, reduced to $29]
Maximinus II, 305-310-313
19 mm.
Struck 305-306
quarter follis
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI
SIS for Siscia
RIC Siscia 171b
The short version of his obverse legend
MAMIMINVS NOB C [$33, reduced to $17]
Maximinus II, Daza. 305-310-313 AD.
Struck as Caesar, c. 305-6 at Aquileia. RIC VI Aquileia 68b "scarce" (I'd say "rare")
Large AE30-26. Horseman spearing fallen foe.
VIRTVS AVGG ET CAESS NN
Helmeted bust left with spear over far shoulder. The coin is a little less red than the image on my screen. Rare type (both obverse and reverse are unusual) [$39, reduced to $37]
Civic Pagan Coins of the time of Maximinus II (c. 310)
[SOLD]
\Licinius (308-324)
Licinius I, 308-324
21-19 mm. 2.79 grams.
Radiate 12 1/2 denomination.
IOVI CONSERVATORI
Jupiter holding Victory, eagle and captive below.
X/IIΓ in field (12 1/2)
SMANTE
RIC Antioch 35
Lovely rust and black patina. [$26, reduced to $22]
Licinius, 308-324
Radiate Fraction,
18 mm. 3.37 grams.
Alexandria, 321-324. IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Licinius I to right. Rev. IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG / X / IIΓ / SMALB Jupiter standing front, head to left, holding Victory on globe in his right hand and long scepter in his left; at feet, eagle to left, holding wreath in beak; to right, captive seated right, his head turned back toward Jupiter. RIC Alexandria 28.
The X / IIΓ means 12 1/2, which is half of 25 and also 8 to 100, so it was probably an attempt to make a denomination fit with the coins (whichever they were) valued at 100 (denarii?).
I love the earthen highlighting. [$25, reduced to $18]
Licinius II, 317-324
19 mm. Tiny head left with scepter and mappa, struck 317
RIC VII Heraclea 19
"Camp gate" PROVIDENTIAE CAESS, MHTDelta
very little wear, silvering mostly tarnished to glossy black
A really cute tiny head! Splendid! [$59, reduced to $47]
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To order, or simply to ask me questions, write me, Warren, at