AugustusCoins

    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
3rd C. more precisely: Septimius Severus, Caracalla, Elagablal, Severus Alexander,
  Gordian III, Philip, Valerian, Gallienus, Gallo-Roman, Claudius II, Aurelian,
  Probus, Tacitus, Carus and Family

Recent: 2023, Nov. 29: Gratian, at the top.
2023, Nov. 22: Alexius I tetarteron on the Byzantine page.
2023, Nov. 21: Three rare books on Roman provincial coins of cities in Israel. A book on Julio-Claudian 1st C Roman coins. A massive book on 4th-5th C Roman coins. All on the numismatic literature page.
2023, Nov. 16: Mamluk figural coins and a common Sasanian coin in great condition, on the Byzantine page.

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:

Terms of Sale. Please tell me if you are not in the US.
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.
Shipping to other countries: If you are outside the US, shipping will be $20 or $25. See more here.
All coins are guaranteed genuine.

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

Gratian, 367-383. Follis (bronze, 2.34 g, 18 mm), Antioch. D N GRATIA-NVS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Gratian to right. Rev. VIRTVS RO-MANORVM Roma seated facing, holding globe in her right hand and inverted spear in her left; ANTA. In exergue. RIC Antioch 50a
This reverse type is for Gratian and not other emperors.
Lovely cover over black patina. Excellent portrait, hair, and diadem, and centering. [$33] Please compare to vcoins prices.

Maximian. (286-305 AD).
20mm, 4.43grams.
IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS P F AVG. radiate cuirassed bust of Maximianus right.
CONCORDIA MILITVM. Jupiter standing left presents Victory on a globe to Maximianus standing right.
KE for the Cyzicus mint.
I love the color! [$19]

Caracalla, 211-217 at Edessa in Mesopotamia
In April 217 Caracalla was assassinated on the road from Edessa to Carrhae where he was intending to visit the temple of Lunus.

Caracalla's head right, laureate.
17 mm. 3.80 grams.
M AVR ANTONINVS AVG (clockwise from 12:30)
Turetted head of Tyche right
COL MET ANTONIN AV (clockwise from 12:00)
BMCG Mesopotamia, Carrhae 16-33 (with minor legend variations).
The ones on MA-Shops are 65 to 115 euros and not nicer. [$34]

Note: Until 2016 this type was attributed to Carrhae and it still is by some dealers. However, an article by Edward Dandrow in the Numismatic Chronicle of 2016 convincingly reattributes this type to Edessa. He notes that the original attribution to Carrhae was made from a single hard-to-read coin in 1838 and uncritically repeated ever since.

BOOKS!

"The Emperor and the Coinage" by Sutherland. A study of Julio-Claudian first century Roman imperial coins. Hardcover with good dustjacket, foxed. 146 pages and 128 coins plated. A very nice copy (with bookplate of Steven Huston, a former coin dealer, excellent dustjacket, nice) $27 plus $4 shipping (only one copy on Amazon at $35)

"Late Roman Coins In the Dumbarton Oaks Collection" [Arcadius (included) to Anastasius (excluded)] by Grierson and Mays, which is a massive hardcover book of 499 pages and 37 page-plates with 955 coins well-photographed lots of excellent commentary, charts, etc. Nice dustjacket. I love this book for very late Roman coins. It is much like the Dumbarton Oaks Byzantine catalogs, but for earlier coins. It is on Amazon, used, lowest at $90. Here, an excellent copy, only the former owner's name in pencil [which could be erased] on the flyleaf, for $75 + $8 shipping (it is heavy!).

Claudius II, Gothicus. 268-270.
23-22 mm. 5.07 grams. Large.
VICTORIAE GOTHIC
SPQR mint (maybe Cyzicus)
RIC 251 varient. Even 251 is "R" for rare. Plate 6.86 has this reverse, but not this obverse.
Bust left (That's unusual). Thick green patina. VICTORIAE GOTHIC (his best type). SPQR mint (a fun specialty all by itself). Nice broad flan. [$145 SOLD]

Very rare. Compare to this one (which is smaller and has a spelling error) at $540 including fees :
https://auctions.cngcoins.com/lots/view/4-BDX1I7/claudius-ii-gothicus-ad-268-270-antoninianus-205mm-361-g-6h-cyzicus-mint-2nd-officina-3rd-emission-phase-1-circa-mid-late-ad-269-vf

Sasanian. Shapur II. Reigned 309-379. That's long!
He was in charge when Julian II lost his life while invading Mesopotamia.
23-22 mm. Full size and weight, 4.06 grams.
Note: His drachms come in two sizes, larger and thinner, and this size, which is thicker.
Crude pseudo-inscription, which is typical of eastern mints.
Sellwood 32. Gobl 127, plate 8. Amini 393.
[$79] [As always, compare to the vcoins selection.]

Constantine, 307-337
AE3. 18 mm.
VOT XXX (vows for 30 years of rule)
DN CONSTANTINI MAX AVG
SMHB, Heraclea mint
[$9]

Theodosius, 379-395
AE2. 22 mm. 5.29 grams.
GLORIA ROMANORVM
Galley. Emperor standign, Victory stearing.
TES for Thessalonica
Wonderful surfaces with black-and-tan patina.
[$29 SOLD]

Theodosius, 379-395
AE2. 23.7 mm. 4.80 grams.
VIRTVS EXERCITI
SMKB for Cyzicus
Emperor standing right holding standard and globe, with captive to right.
Lovely surfaces.
[$28]

Arcadius, son of Theodosius
383-408
22.6-19.9 mm. 4.00 grams.
VIRTVS EXERCITI
Emperor standing right holding standard and globe, with captive to right.
ANTS for Antioch,
with lovely "Antioch patina".
[$26]

Byzantine
Tiberius II, 578-582
14.0 mm. 1.22 grams.
Pentanummion
Monogram of "Constantine" (his other name)
U us a form of V for "5"
Sear 459 (at 65 pounds in VF)
[$43]

Constantius II, 324-337-361
15 mm. 1.88 grams. Small coin.
Struck 347-348
at Antioch
VOT XX MVLT XXX
SMANΓI
RIC Antioch 113, page 521
Excellent detail, diadem, hair, wreath, reverse legend, and wonderful "Antioch" black and tan patina. [$27]

Licinius I. (321-323 AD).
21mm, 2.91g
Alexandria.
IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG. laureate bust of Licinius right.
IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG. Jupiter standing and holding Victoria on globe ; eagle at his feet. White cover. [$19]

Maximinus II, 305-311
26-24 mm.
GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAES. laureate bust of Maximianus right.
GENIO CAESARIS. Genius standing left holding patera and cornucopiae.
MKV Cyzicus mint
[$19]

Crispus, 317-326
18 mm.
CRISPVS NOB CAES. laureate bust of Crispus left.
CAESARVM NOSTRORVM / VOT X. laurel wreath.
AQS
[$19]

Constantine the Great, 307-337
18 mm.
CONSTANTINVS AVG. laureate bust of Constantinus right.
PROVIDENTIAE AVGG. Campgate with two turrets.
SMANTS

Antioch mint.
Lovely orange cover [$19]

Crispus, 317-326
19 mm.
FL IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES. laureate bust of Crispus left.
PROVIDENTIAE CAESS. Campgate with two turrets.
Heraclea mint
[$15]

Licinius II, 317-324
D N VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C. helmeted and cuirassed bust holding spear and shield left.
IOVI CONSERVATORI. Jupiter standing and holding Victoria on globe and eagle-tipped sceptre; eagle and captive at feet.
SMALB Alexandria mint
[$15]

Tiny AE from Aradus, Phoenicia
AE10. 0.77 grams
Marine deity Dagon with wreath
Galley to left with helmsman and waves below
Phoenician letters above.
BMC Phoenicia 83 is similar.
Like Sear Grek 5996 but smaller.
Lindgren and Kovacs 2224 "1.01 grams"
Bought from Dan Clark, Sept. 20, 1980.
Oustanding. Excellent centering. All clear, especially for such a tiny coin. I think I can see Dagon smiling! Rare.
[$135] For a collection with high-quality Greek AE. Small--only 10 mm.
Compare to https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=6814215 which cost over $300 and
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=7483661 which cost almost $400.

Constantine, 307-337
17-16 mm. "half follis"
Struck late 312-early 313
PACI PERPET
Pax standing holding branch and standard
RP in exergue
XII in field left RIC VI Rome 356. Only at Rome, page 391.
[$125, reduced to $95]
Rare. Please compare to prices elsewhere.
ex Esty collection.
ex Aegis-Argos Feb. 11, 1983.

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 copy at $180, reduced to $165, including shipping in the US only.

Roman Republican semis imitation from Spain
(which rarely had its own mint so locals issued imitations to supply the need for small change)
First century BC. c. 100-25 BC.
Small. 17-15 mm. 2.19 grams.
Head of Saturn right; S (mark of value) behind
Prow right; horizontal S (mark of value) above. Cf. Burgos R46.
cf CNG https://cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=270492
for a very similar coin, not as nice, for $60 plus fees.
Crawford "Unoffical imitations and small change under the Roman Republic" AIIN 29 (1982) plate XI, 21. Also, plate II 19 (same dies!)
"Found almost always in the south of Spain, near Seville"
Better than the CNG piece. [$49, reduced to $47]
This coin cited in Rippolès and Witschonke, "The unofficial Roman Republican semisses struck in Spain" in Studies in Ancient Coinage in Honor of Andrew Burnett, 2015. #116h, not illustrated.

[SOLD]

Titus (79-81)

[SOLD]

Domitian

[SOLD]

Second Century

Trajan (98-117)

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.
11.2-10.5 mm. 1.10 grams. Tiny!
His bust right with no legend.
"SC" in wreath.
Sear II 3250, page 170 "Rome, 112-117"
RIC Trajan 443, 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.
Clearly recognizable bust of Trajan and clear "SC" in wreath. Tiny! Nice natural earthen cover. [$63, reduced to $53]
It is beautiful and clear considering it is so small. PRC III 3681 Antioch "chalkous" "product of Rome." "Struck for circulation in Syria".

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 $27]
ex Esty collection of ancient imitations (old photo taken with a scanner back in the day).

Antoninus Pius (138-161)

Antoninus Pius, 138-161
Denarius 18 mm. 3.09 grams.
without the title Augustus ("as Caesar")
Antonius Pius and Marcus Aurelius were designated heirs of Hadrian. When the senate declined to deify Hadrian, Antoninus Pius declined to take the title Augustus. The senate caved to the pressure.
IMP T AEL CAES ANTONINVS (His name included "Titus" and he used "Aelius," one of the names of Hadrian)
TRIB POT COS
Pietas standing by altar raising right hand
bare head right
RIC II.3 Hadrian 452a
Old RIC 2 (the Hadrian volume) Hadrian 445 "138, Feb. 25 - July 19)
Pietas has a component of caring for your parents and Antoninus Pius says, with this coin, that he expects Hadrian, his adoptive father, to be cared for by deification.
This coin is early in the first year as can be seen by TRIB POT without a number and not even "DES II" which is used near the end of the year to assert he is designated to be TRIB POT II next year. [$145, reduced to $125]

Commodus (177-193)

[SOLD]

Philip, 244-249.

Philip I, 244-249
Sestertius-diameter coin from the
Samosata mint on the Euphrates
31 mm. 16.55 grams.
Radiate bust right
City goddess seated left on rocks, holding out eagle, Pegasus leaping at her feet.
Butcher Coinage in Roman Syria, page 475, Philip 31 radiate
BMC Syria, Commagene, Samosata 51 (laureate)
[$35, reduced to $29 SOLD]

Philip II, 244-249

Philip II, 244-249
Roman Provincial from Nisibis
an outpost in upper Mesopotamia that features many times in the history books as the Romans and Sasanians battle over it.
25-24 mm. 9.26 grams.
AYTOK KMIOYΛI ΦIΛIΠΠOC CEB
IOΛ CEΠKOΛΩ NECIBI MHT
Sear Greek Imperial 4157
BMC Mesopotamia Nesibi 23
Lindgren and Kovacs 2604
[$45, reduced to $39 SOLD]

Vabalathus and Aurelian.
A.D. 270-2742;
Augustus 270-275.
Antoninianus. 19mm, 3.5 g.
Antioch mint, Struck A.D. 270-272.
VABALATHVS V C R IM D R, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Vabalathus right, seen from behind
IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust of Aurelian right // H.
[$45, reduced to $39 SOLD]