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)

Recent: 2024, March 14: A page of ancient imitations from the time of Constantine. 
2024, March 8: Alexius, anonymous Class J. Tiberius II X, Justin II Є from Nicomedia on the Byzantine page.

2024, March 6: A rare Turkoman figural coin on the Byzantine page.
2024, March 5: An entirely 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.)
2024, Feb. 27: Lucilla denarius and nine late Roman coins (first coins on this page).
2024, Feb. 23: Licinius, Diocletian, and Maximian coins at the top.
2024, Feb.17:  Leo III (really!) on the Byzantine page.
2024, Feb. 15:  Constantine SOLI (this page). Maurice K year 20 at Antioch on the Byzantine page.
2024, Feb. 10: Justinian from Antioch on the Byzantine page.
2024, Feb. 8: Two coins of Phocas on the Byzantine page.
2024, Jan. 31: Beautiful Maximian at the top.
2024, Jan. 27: Tetrarchy coins moved to at the end this page which now incorporates the previous "Tetrarchy" page. Lovely Constantine II on the Constantinian page. Leo III coin and a First Crusade coin of Tancred on the Byzantine page. Greek page redone. Almost all sold coins removed entirely.

2024, Jan. 22: Tancred, Crusader of the First Crusade. Roger of Salerno, crusader of the First Crusade. Tiberius II, 578-582. Heraclius, 610-641, from Cyzicus. Michael I, 811-813, and Theophylactus. All on the Byzantine page. Old thimble on this page. Prices reduced substantially for almost all the coins on the Greek page
2024, Jan. 14:  Tiberius II deca on the Byzantine page.
2024, Jan. 9: Constantine II CLARITAS REIBVB "r5" (on this page), Turkoman figural bronzes including Saladin (The famous guy), Leo V Sear 1629, on the Byzantine page.
2024, Jan. 4: Two coin books, including "Byzantine Coins " by Whitting on the literature page and one on ancient coins of North Africa (including Cyrene, Carthage, etc.).


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. 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


NOTE:  This page now includes Tetrarchal coins (below). It incorporates the previous "Tetrarchy" page.



Lucilla, wife of Lucius Verus and daughter of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina Jr.
Denarius. 18-17 mm. 
CONCORDIA
ex Alex Malloy auction XVIII (Dec. 1, 1980) lot 840 "VF" which cost me $71 in 1980.
ex Grabow 1958 in Judge Sanborn collection. Feb. 24, 1977.  Sotheby's 1977.
RIC 758 variety. BMC 306 variety.  Sear II 5479.
[$95]


 

 



 
Constantius II
SMHΔ  Heraclea
PROVIDENTIAE CAESS
Bust left
High grade  [$23 SOLD]



Constantine, 307-337
Helmeted, with crest and ornaments
VIRTVS EXERCITI
VOT XX on banner above two captives
PT  Ticinum mint
Lovely orange and black patina [$27]

 
 

Theodosius, 379-395
AE 2. 22 mm.
GLORIA ROMANORVM
ANTB Antioch mint
[$22]

 



Theodosius, 379-397
AE 2. 22 mm.
Helmeted bust right with spear and shild
GLORIA ROMANORVM, 
Emperor on galley steered by Victory.
CONS  Constantinople mint
Lovely orange and black  [$28]


Honorius
17-16 mm.
RARE
VRBS ROMA FELIX
SMROM
Soldier holding Victory on globe
This is very nice for the type which never(?) comes full flan and nice. When found, it is in poor shape for Honorius, Arcadius, or Theodosius II. 
[$39]  Please look at your (other) favorite site for comparable coins and their prices.


Arcadius
AE2. 21-20 mm.
VIRTVS EXERCITI
ANTS Antioch.
Black with light cover  [$24]

 

 

Arcadius
AE2. 23-21 mm.
GLORIA ROMANORVM
the "Hand of God" crowns Arcadius. 
An interesting early Christian type.
CONΓ*
Constantinople
Black, with nice light cover [$35]

 


Constantine, 307-337
Bust right in close-fitting helmet
VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP
VOT PR on shild held by two Victories
SIS for Siscia
Black with nice tan cover.  [$18]

 


Constantius II
16 mm. Small
VOT XX MVLT XXX
SM ALE for Alexandria
Lovely color. Look at the ear and hair. A beautiful small coin.
[$19]


 

 
 




Licinius, 308-324
19 mm. 2.73 grams.
IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG
Jupiter standing left, over captive, holding Vicotry on globe.
RIC Antioch 27S, page 680.  Struck 317-320.
Ex Berk auction #5 in 1978. 
Consular bust left  [$20 SOLD]



Diocletian, 284-305
21 mm. 2.72 grams.
Post-reform radiate = "radiate fraction"
CONCORDIA MILITVM
Cyzicus mint, officina Γ
Wonderful portrait. I love the color. [$24 SOLD]
(The next coin below would make a great pair!)


Maximian, 286-305
21 mm. 2.58 grams.
CONCORDIA MILITVM
Cyzicus mint, officina Γ
I love the color. [$24 SOLD]



Constantine, 307-337
18 mm.
Interesting variant of the very common
SOLI INVICTO COMITI
type, however this one has a captive left.
RIC VII Rome 52, "316-7"
316 AD is well after his Christian vision of 312, but Sol, the sun god, is still on his coins and our "Sunday" still retains his name. The variant with the captive is unusual. 
A vcoins search on "Constantine SOLI captive" gets three hits, one at 34 euros and others at $250 and $400. Ridiculous! How does that seller ever sell any coins? 
[$19 SOLD]  (See other late Roman types on the "
Constantinian" page.)





Maximian,
28 mm. 9.25 grams.
IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS P F AVG Laureate head right. Rev. GENIO POPVLI ROMANI Genius standing left, two stars in left field, Δ and crescent in right,
ANT in exergue. RIC 50b.
Repatinated. Lovely!  [$32]



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]
 


Maximian. (286-305 AD).
20mm, 2.71g
Cyzicus
IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS P F AVG. radiate cuirassed bust of Maximian right.
CONCORDIA MILITVM. Jupiter standing left presents Victory on a globe to Maximianus standing right.  White cover. [$23]

 



 


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, reduced to $15 SOLD]

 

NOTE:  This page now includes Tetrarchal coins (below). It incorporates the previous "Tetrarchy" page.


Okay, it is not an ancient coin, and not ancient, but it is interesting. A small thimble, 14 mm diameter, 15.3 mm deep. (Too small for even my little finger.)
I know almost nothing about it. I bought it from the "artifacts" section of an ancient-coin auction. Thimbles are a medieval invention, not ancient. 
I will ship it in a small but strong box inside an envelope so it doesn't get crushed in the mail.

[$9 + $5 shipping]  (If you also order coins, they will not add to the shipping cost unless the coins are expensive.)
 



BOOKS!  

"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!)
 

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 $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


Begin Roman coins in chronological order

Roman Republican  
 
 
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.
 
 


*****  I also have a page of numismatic literature (ancient-coin auction catalogs, books) for sale.


Roman Imperial Silver and AE 

 



Second Century

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 SOLD]

 

 


Third Century:

 

Central Empire, Claudius II (268-270) and later:


Claudius II, Gothicus, 268-270
20.7-19.2 mm. 3.13 grams.
IMP CLAVDIVS P F AVG. Radiate and cuirassed bust right.

With his nickname in the reverse legend!
VICTORIAE GOTHIC
Trophy with two captives
One of his best types for having "GOTHIC" in the legend.
[$27]
 

For a page of ancient imitations from the third century, see here.
 

 

 Tetrarchy begins here!

Diocletian (284-305)


D

[$25, reduced to $19] Diocletian

IMP C C VAL ​​​DIOCLETIANVS AVG

VICTORIA AVGG
RIC 277 

 

 



Maximian (286-305 and later)


Maximian
21-20 mm. 4.21 grams.
HERCVLI PACIFERO
Hercules standing left holding olive branch in right and club and lion-skin in left
Γ in field left, nothing in exergue.
RIC V.II Maximian 371, page 263 "Lugdunum, 288"
Bastien 95 p.134, 3rd emission, 4th officina (286 AD)
Sear 13131.
Good silver. Somewhat porous. Lots of reverse detail. [$35, reduced to $29]
 

Club and lion-skin!

Maximian, 286-305.
22 mm. 4.23 grams. Heavy with better silver than typical.

IMP C MAXIMIANVS AVGHERCVLI 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 $215]  Please compare with prices elsewhere.

 


Maximian
21-20 mm. 3.02 grams.
HERCVLI PACIFERO
Hercules standing left holding olive branch in right and club and lion-skin in left
Δ in field left, nothing in exergue.
RIC V.II Maximian 371, page 263 "Lugdunum, 288"
Bastien 95 p.134, 3rd emission, 4th officina (286 AD)
Sear 13131.
 [$39, reduced to $34, reduced to $27]
 


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." 

 

M

Maximian, 286-305, struck posthumously, 317-318, by Constantine in his 3-emperor commemorative series.
AE 16.  (small denomination) RIC Siscia 41, page 429, "r3" (extremely rare, but minor, variety). [$59,  reduced to $32 SOLD]

 

 

Constantius I (293-305-306)

 

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.

 

CsCs

[$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)


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 $32]

 

 Maximinus II (310-313)

 

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]

 

 

MM

[$39] 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)

 

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]




Licinius, 308-324
21 mm. 3.23 grams/
IOVI CONSERVATORI
Jupiter holding Victory on globe, eagle below
SIS
Siscia mint
Lovely orange highlights
[$19 + $2 shipping if this is all you order]
(Totals more than $25 up to $50 cost $3 shipping.)
 

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] 

 

L
[$39, reduced to $29 SOLD] Licinius
19 mm.  3.61 grams
Struck at Heraclea 317
RIC Heraclea 17.   Silvering. High grade. 

 

 

Licinius II (317-324)



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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Next Page:   Constantinian (306-364) 

Second next: Roman of Valentinian and later (364-491 AD)


To order, or simply to ask me questions, write me, Warren, at
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