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 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, Jan. 23: Licinius VOT XX
2026, Jan 22: Greek coin of Parion. Cute! Constantine with interesting fieldmarks on the Constantinian page.
2026, Jan. 20: 2026, Constantine LIBERTAS (this page), Greek fraction from Cyzicus (this page). Tiberius Constantine = Tiberius II, year 4, Sear 440, on the Byzantine page. Greek coin prices reduced (almost all on that page.) Sold coins removed from this page. Some prices reduced.
2026, Jan. 19:| Numismatic literature page reorganized to make it easier to find what interests you.
2026 (Happy New Year!) Jan. 5: Arabic Almohad dynasty in North Africa and Spain. (Not my usual offering!)
2025, Dec. 29:  Turkoman figural bronze (this page).
2025, Dec. 27:  Valentinian and Theodosius II, this 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: 
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 $18 to Canada and $20 (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
 

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]

Greek silver. Mysia. Parion
14-10.6 mm. 3.58 grams. Small, with very high relief. It is thick. It is shaped like a bean.
Gorgoneion, with tongue protruding.
Incuse pattern.
Sear Greek 3917 page 364 "attribution to Parion is not certain." (but everybody uses it. Parion had a later similar type with much lower relief, which looks somewhat like this on the obverse.)
5th C. BC.
Very old. Cute! Thick. A fun type.
[$75]

Constantine, 307-337
18 mm. 3.01 grams. 
CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG
First issue at Constantinople after its founding.
LIBERTAS PVBLICA
CONS
Liberty with two wreaths, standing in a galley
RIC VII Constantinople 18, page 573 "327-8" "r" (but two other officinae are "s" and "r2"). Struck at only this one mint.
Only two on vcoins, $58 and 95€, both in worse condition than this one.  (Take a look.) [$33 SOLD]
(If you try for all of this first issue from Constantinople, there are only five, but one of them is the famous  SPES PVBLIC early Christian symbol piece which is very expensive.) 

Greek. Cyzicus, Mysia.
Old!  480-450 BC.  This might be the oldest coin in your collection. 
Hemiobol, 9 mm. 0.40 grams. Tiny!
forepart of runniung boar, tunny upwards behind
Head of roaring lion, star pattern above.
Sear Greek 3851 "480-450 BC", Klein 265. 
Ths type is perhaps the most common Greek fractional type. It comes in several weights including half this, twice this, and three times this, all looking the same. (How did they tell them apart?)
A nice example. [$35 SOLD] Enjoy it with a magnifying glass. It is small. 

 

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]

 

Trajan, 98-117
as. 27-25 mm. 7.07 grams. (light)
Laureate head right, slight drapery on far shoulder
Eight-column temple
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]

 

Licinius, 308-324
21.4-20 mm. 4.19 grams. Repatinated. Small
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]

Valentinian II
375-392
19 mm. 
Note the overse legend has "IVN" in it for "Junior"
DN VALENTINIANVS IVN PF AVG
A type just for him.
VRBS ROMA
Roma seated on cuirass, holding Victory and scepter
A very nice example, better than the $155 one on vcoins.
and much better than the $105 and $60 ones.
A lovely coin of a good type [$45]
RIC IX Antioch 51 (with field and mintmark variety 6), only for Valentinian II. 

 

Constantius II
19 mm. 3.02 grams. Repatinated.
PROVIDENTIAE CAESS
SMHΓ for Heraclea mint
FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C
[$18]

 

 

Julian II, the Apostate
His famous "bull" type.
28 mm. 9.04 grams. Repatinated. Large AE1.
SECVRITAS REIPVB 
CVZΓ
This type has been much discussed. It got Julian in trouble at Antioch for being too pagan. We are not certain which among many possible bulls is represented. A web search will find many opinions. An interesting type. 
A nice big coin, significantly larger than a US quarter. 
[$95]

 

Honorius, 393-423
16 mm. 2.21 grams.
GLORIA ROMANORVM
Horseman raising hand in greeting.
SMKΓ in exergue (Cyzicus mint)
RIC IX Cyzicus 29c1. Very nice for type. [$27]

(For more coins of this late time period, see Valentinian.)
 

Roman provincial coin of Bostra, capital of Arabia
Julia Mamae, mother of Severus Alexander (222-235) and the power behind the throne.
21-20 mm. 5.08 grams. Repatinated.
IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA
Tyche left, turreted
COLONIA BOSTRA  (in Latin, because Bostra was a colony)
Now called "Bosra" (without the T) in southern Syria, very close to the border with Jordan.
All letters legible and on the flan. [$23]

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]
 

Constantine with the unusual title
FIL AVGG
26.4-23.8 mm. 7.41 grams.
Numerous scratches.
CONSTANTINVS FIL AVGG
(Son of the Augusti)
For the fascinating story of this rare type, see my (long) page:
http://augustuscoins.com/ed/FILAVGG/

GENIO CAESARIS 
SMTS for Thessalonica. RIC VI Thessaloncia 32b, page 514. 
There are none of Constantine with this title on vcoins (from any mint). There are two of Maximinus II (the only other ruler with this title), one far worse than this one for $80 and another at $165. MA-Shops has one at $323 (parts are better, but the key "FIL AVGG" part is much worse!):
https://www.ma-shops.com/saenn/item.php?id=12667
Numerous cleaning scratches. Rare, with a great story. [$75, reduced to $65]

Diocletian abdication piece
24 mm. 6.56 grams. Repatinated.
Diocletian reigned 284-305 and retired in 305. 
DN DIOCLETIANO BAEATISS  [note the unusal obverse legend]
PROVIDENTIA DEORVM
  S
 KP
ALE

RIC Alexandria 109, Struck "late 308-310"
This is not the largest size abdication type, but the next largest at 24 mm from Alexandria. Scarce. [$39]   [As always, I recommend you compare with prices on your (second) favorite site.]

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]


 

  

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]

 

Gallienus, 253-268
21-18 mm. 2.30 grams.
Zoo animal!
Panther left (as the animial of Dionysos)
LIBERO P CONS AVG
Nice panther and reverse legend [$24, reduced to $21]

 

Maximinus II, 305-310-313
22.7 mm. Repatinated.
GENIO AVGVSTI
Genius standing left holding Victory on globe
*   A
ANT
RIC VI Antioch 162b "311-312"
Great centering and nice portrait. Lovely! [$28]

 

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] 
  

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

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

Roman Imperial Silver and AE 

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
Roman imperial quadrans
Hercules/Club with "S C" either side.
15 mm. 2.20 grams.
IMP CAES TRAIAN AVG GERM
Head of Hercules right/his club between SC
Fortunately the obverse legend names Trajan.
RIC II 699, page 293, plate XII, 212.
ex Baldwin's in London, May 17, 1988 (no ticket)
[$29, reduced to $23]

 

 

​​​

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.
10.5 mm. 1.06 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!  [$27] 
It is so small! PRC III 3681 Antioch "chalkous" "product of Rome." "Struck for circulation in Syria"

Before a few years ago I don't recall these ever being offered. Maybe they were too small for life-sized photos! I find them really interesting in hand for their size. 

 

 

Antoninus Pius (138-161)

[none]
 

Third Century: 

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] 

 

Philip II, 244-249
25.6 mm. 8.89 grams. Repatinated. Larger than a quarter and twice as thick.
Nisibis, Mesopotamia
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.  [$35] 

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]

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, reduced to $55] An interesting historical type.

 

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

 Tetrarchy begins here!

Diocletian (284-305)

---

Maximian (286-305 and later)

Maximian, 286-305
27.4-25.6 mm. 7.90 grams. Repatinated.
Struck 295-295 at Siscia
RIC VI Siscia 95b or 85b (same type)
GENIO POPVI ROMANI
   Γ
*SIS
Big coin with nice details and some pitting on the face
[$34, reduced to $29]

 

 

 

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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 $31]

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 $21] 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.   

 

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Galerius (293-305-311)

 

Maxentius (306-312)

 Maximinus II (310-313)

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.
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]
 

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Licinius (308-324)

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, 308-324
19 mm.
IOVI CONSERVATORI
SMKA for Cyzicus.
The new 12 1/2 denomination:  X/IIΓ
Jupiter with Victory on globe, eagle and captive at feet. 
[$23] Really lovely in hand and a bit better profile than the photo suggests.
Great centering. Great detail on the eagle. You can see the captive's face (How can they engrave the die!?)

 

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]

 

 

Licinius II (317-324)

 

Licinius II, 317-324

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

 

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. Bold strike.
A really cute tiny head! Bold head and legend. Splendid! [$59, reduced to $45]

 

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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 + $6 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 expensive.)
 

 

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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