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. If you want to learn more about ancient coins, visit my educational ancient-coin website (begun in early 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: 2026, June 19: Eight new Constantine and commemorative coins, including very common obverses combined with unusual reverses
on the Constantinian page. Many sold coins removed entirely.
2026, June 11: Extremely rare denomination of Tacitus. Commercial weights and a Crusader coin of Tancred on the Byzantine page.
2026, June 6: Constans II at Carthage on the Byzantine page. The Coinage of Bostra, and The Coinage of Rhesaena in Mesopotamia, on the numismatic literature page.
2026, June 4: Nicephorus III and Justinian with rare ANTIX mintmark on the Byzantine page.
2026, June 2: Trajan half-quadrans. Arcadius. Constantius II (this page). Justin I on the Byzantine page.
2026, May 30: A big reorganization. This page, the Constantinian page, and the Valentinian page, all have had their sold coins removed and almost all coins put in chronological order by emperor. The mess is almost cleared up! You can find things!

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.  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.) Do not pay until after I confirm I still have the coin.
Please tell me if you are not in the US. I don't often ship outside the US because shipping is so expensive. If you are outside the US, shipping would be $20 to Canada and $22 (or slightly more for a big order) to elsewhere. (I'm very sorry shipping outside the US is so expensive.) Please pay with Wise if you can.  See more here.

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, $10, or $15, 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 other pages (with links at the upper left of this page).
  Go down to Roman coins in chronological order

Newest:

Very rare short-lived denomination: 10 to 1 as opposed to the usual 20 to 1:

Tacitus, 275-276.
23.4-21.8 mm. 3.805 grams. Original silvering on the portrait.
Tripolis mint.
RIC#214, IA variety, Plate X.154
"double antoninianus"
Estiot, emission 2, Jan.- June 276
Plate 64, 1846.

Mars stg. or walking l, holding olive branch and spear and shield. "R"
* in field left, IA in exergue
IA coins are slightly larger in diameter than KA coins.

The "IA" type is extremely rare. The "KA" type is scarce to rare. Callu et al. showed that the "XI" type of Antioch and the "IA" (Greek for "XI") type of Tripolis had about twice the silver content of the usual "XXI" and "KA" (Greek for "XXI") types, conclusively proving that "20 - 1" had to mean either "twenty of these coins make one [of some higher standard]" or "twenty parts base metal to one of silver." The latter interpretation has come to be accepted. Esty, et al. did further work on the alloy of these coins of Tacitus and again showed that the silver content of the "XI" and "IA" coins was about twice the silver content of the regular coins and consistent with the "ten parts base metal to one part silver" hypothesis [here is a pdf of my article on the alloy]. The conclusion is that Tacitus instituted a short-lived and ill-fated coin reform shortly after they initial reform of Aurelian in 274. Very few of these coins with higher silver content are extant. This "XI" = "IA" denomination is extremely rare.

CNGs one of the type at $190+20% = $228: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=14692725
CNG at $250+20% = $300: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=13564436
The one is far nicer than either CNG coin. [$190] Please compare!

Maximinus II as Augustus, 310-313

22 mm. 4.91 grams.
GENIO AVGVSTI
Genius holds radiate head of Sol
ANT for Antioch
RIC VI Antioch 164b, page 643.

[$37]

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 ]

Second Century

Trajan (98-117)

Trajan, 98-117
as. 27-25 mm. 7.07 grams. (light)
Laureate head right, slight drapery on far shoulder
Eight-column temple (architectural type)
SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI
SC
Sear II 3236
BMC 955 , page 201
RIC 575(as) page 285 "scarce"
As I write, there are two on vcoins:
https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/aegean_numismatics/1/product/roman_empire_trajan_98117_bronze_aes/2268666/Default.aspx
at $365 and another one at 600 €.
This one: [$89]

Hadrian (117-138)

Hadrian, 117-138
The smallest Roman denomination! Sometimes called an "uncia." It is much smaller than a quadrans.
It may be a "half-quadrans."
Struck very near the beginning of his reign, c. 117.
9.5 mm. 1.21 grams. Tiny!
His bust right with no legend.
"SC" in wreath.
Sear II 3705, page 170 "Rome, 117-118"
RIC Hadrian 629b.
BMC 1883. p. cvi "Very probably of Roman mintage--possibly Antioch."
The only other coin of a similar type is of Trajan, distinguished only by its portrait of Trajan.
Recognizable bust of Hadrian and clear "SC" in wreath. Tiny! [$19]
It is so small! PRC III 3681 Antioch "chalkous" "product of Rome." "Struck for circulation in Syria"

Antoninus Pius (138-161)

[none]

Third Century:

Bold Caracalla tetradrachm of Laodicia ad Mare
Struck 215-217.
Syrian tetradrachm.
26 mm. 14.12 grams.
Prier 1179
AVT K M A ANTΩN Є INOC CEB
ΔMHAPX Z YΠATOC TO Δ
A strong portrait of Caracalla on a (debased) silver coin.
[$110]

Philip II, 244-249
26 mm. 13.33 grams. Repatinated. Larger than a quarter and twice as thick.
Nisibis, Mesopotamia (read about Nisibis here)
AVTOK K M IOVΛI ΦIΛIΠΠOC CЄB
Autokrater Caesar Marcus Julius Philippus Sebastos)
The young face makes it Philip II.
Nisibis sometimes distinguished the two Philips by having Philip face right and Philip II face left.
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.
Rev: IOY CЄΠ KOΛΩ NЄCIBI MHT,
(Julia Septimia Colonia Nisibis Metropolis)
[This "Julia" is a family name for Philip.]
Sear Greek Imperial 4157. BMC Mesopotamia Nesibi [sic] 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."
The city name (NECIBI) is clear from 1:00-3:00. Nice portrait. Strong mint name. Good size. [$44 SOLD]

Philip I, 244-249
Struck at Nisibis, Mesopotamia
26-25 mm. 9.31 grams. Repatinated. The size of a quarter and twice as thick.
AVTOK K M IOVΛI ΦIΛIΠΠOC CЄB
(Autokrater Caesar Marcus Julius Philippus Sebastos)
The beard makes it Philip I.
Rev: IOY CЄΠ KOΛΩ NЄCIBI MHT,
(Julia Septimia Colonia Nisibis Metropolis)
[This "Julia" is a family name for Philip.]
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 Coins 3970. BMC Mesopotamia Nesibi [sic, that is how it is spelled on coins, although it is spelled "Nisibis" in literature] 17. RPC VIII "unassigned; ID 2824."[$34]

A lovely portrait for the portrait series.
Herennia Etruscilla, wife of Trjan Decius who reigned 249-251
HER ETRVSCILLA AVG
Please please go look at other coins of Herennia. She often/usually has an unattractive face. You have to look hard to find one as pleasing as this one.
PVDICTIA AVG (modesty)
RIC IV.III (under Trajan Decius) 58b, page 127, plate 11.4. (RIC's coin is not quite as nice)
Sear III 9494.
Ancient coins are ancient art, as well as history. This particular coin is art of a higher order than almost all of her other coins.
[$145, reduced to $125 + $6 shipping in the US]

Maximian (286-305 and later)

Constantius I (293-305-306)

Galerius (293-305-311)

Galerius, 293-305-311
Antoninianus (aka aurelianus). 23-21 mm. 3.26 grams.
MAXIMIANVS NOB C
ORIENS AVGG
Sol standing left holding whip
RIC 684 page 305.
Sear IV 14300, page 277.
Bastien Ludunum 642 (struck 294)
Ants of Galerius are scarce since he was made Caesar in May 293 and the denomination was discontinued in late 294 or 295. I suppose many collectors don't care, but I love having coins of emperors in denominations which are rare for them.
ex Gert Boersema on vcoins Oct 28, 2017 (no ticket). As I write, none on vcoins. [$95]

Galerius, quarter-follis
This is not the large GENIO POPVLI ROMANI type, rather its much smaller fraction issued at Siscia.
Small at 18-17 mm. 1.99 grams.

MAXIMIANVS AVG (Galerius, Augustus)
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI
SIS in exergue
Siscia mint

Excellent portrait. Very high grade, but corrosion. Fortunately, the portrait is excellent and lovely. [ $22]

Galerius
29-27 mm. 7.93 grams.
MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES
SAC MON VRB AVGG ET CAESS NN
*
RQ
RIC VI Rome 106b, "c. 302-3"
[$38, reduced to $33]

Maxentius (306-312)

Maximinus II (310-313)

Maximinus II, as Augustus, 310-313
24.22 mm. 6.99 grams. Repatinated
IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS PF AVG
GENIO IMPERATORIS
Crescent, Γ
altar
ANT
RIC Antioch 148c
[$32] (Compare to vcoins coins)

Maximinus II, 305-311
21.7 mm. 4.69 grams. Repatinated.
GENIO AVGVSTI
Genius hold head of Sol
Antioch mint
IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS PF AVG
RIC Antioch 164b, dated "312"
[$19]

Maximinus II, 305-310-313
19 mm. (Not 27 mm like the full follis.)
Struck 305-306
quarter follis
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI
SIS for Siscia
RIC Siscia 171b
The short version of his obverse legend
MAXIMINVS NOB C [$33, reduced to $14]

Civic Pagan Coins of the time of Maximinus II (c. 310)

[SOLD]

Licinius (308-324)

Licinius, 308-324
19.5 mm. 3.41 grams.
VICT LATAE PRINC PERP
Two Victories hold shild with VOT/PR
ASIS*
RIC Siscia 96, 319-320.
Lovely surfaces. Good portrait. Look at the hair and wreath!
[$44]

Licinius, 308-324
18.5 mm. 2.65 grams. Repatinated.
IMP LICINIVS AVG
VOTXX
MVLT
XXX
TSA (for Thessaloncia)
in wreath
RIC VII Thessaloncia 33 "Scarce" "318-9".
Only this one mint, so actually scarce. [$48]

Licinius, 308-324
21.4-20 mm. 4.19 grams. Repatinated. Small for the GPR type.
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI
R Q from Rome
A late recarnation of the GPR type, much smaller that the earlier examples from the First Tetrarchy.
RIC VII Rome 294c "end 312-3" (just after the Battle of the Milvian Bridge)
Issued by Constantine, only at this mint.
Vcoins has no GENIO POPVLI ROMANI coins for Licinius, among 1900 hits for "Licinius". This type is really rare this late! [$55]

Licinius, 308-324
21-20 mm. 3.94 grams.
IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS PS AVG (nice long version of his name)
IOVI CONSERVATORI
Jupiter holding Victory, eagle and captive at his feet
XIIΓ (12 1/2 for the denomination) in the right field.
Radiate bust for the denomiantion
SMKA for Cyzicus
A nice coin.
[$18]

Licinius, 308-324
19 mm. 2.69 grams.
IMP LICINIVS AVG
VOT XX
MVLT
XXX
T S A
RIC VII Thessalonica 33 "Scarce" "318-319" Struck only at Thessalonica
Sear IV 15382 page 391.
Ex Dan Clark auction 116, lot 160, August 16, 2003.
Vows for 20 years multiplied for 30 years.
[$32, reduced to $29]

Licinius I, 308-324
19-18 mm. 3.45 grams. Repatinated.
IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG
Jupiter holding Victory on globe with captive to left. (Compare to the previous coin without captive) Other varieties have an eagle or palm branch or wreath)
H
SMANT
RIC VII Antioch 27H "r2" (but many similar)
Sear IV 15239 p. 379.
[$24]

Licinius I, 308-324
22.7-21.3 mm. 4.56 grams.
Struck "c. 312" at Heraclea.
IMP C VAL LICINIAN LICINIVS PF AVG (long name!)
IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG
Jupiter holding globe with wreath to left.
Δ
SMHT
RIC VII Heraclea 541 with officina Δ not in RIC.
Sear IV 15233 p. 379.
[$45] for the long version of his name and for being a minor variety not in RIC.

Licinius, 308-324
19 mm.
IOVI CONSERVATORI
SMALB for Alexandria.
The new 12 1/2 denomination: X/IIΓ
Jupiter with Victory on globe, eagle and captive at feet.
[$15]

This type is very common, but often, as here and the next coin, remarkably nice and inexpensive.

Licinius
19.5-17.9 mm.
IOVI CONSERVATORI
SMANTZ for Antioch mint
X II Γ in the field for 12 1/2, half the "25" denomination.
eagle holding wreath, captive, and Jupiter holding Victory on globe, crowning him.
[$8]

Licinius, 308-324
19-17 mm
IOVI CONSERVATORI
XIIΓ for 12 1/2, the denomination.
SMANTЄ
[$9] (More orange than the photo.)

Licinius II (317-324)

Licinius II, 317-324

Helmeted bust left
XIIΓ denomination.
SMKA for Cyzicus
[$8]

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, reduced to $6 + $9 shipping (It is too thick for a regular envelope)] (If you also order coins, the coins will not add to the shipping cost unless the coins are very expensive.)

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