Roman Gold Coins

For gold investors with an interest in ancient world history, collecting and trading Roman gold coins can be a fun and profitable hobby.

Nothing really illustrates the enduring value of gold like an ancient gold coin. Knowing that folks thousands of years ago used gold as currency and as a repository of wealth shows that gold has been valuable for a long time, and will still be valuable in the future.

The ancient Roman empire spanned much of the European world in antiquity and provided the basis for much of our civil society today. Roman currency carried value throughout the empire and outside of it, and ancient Roman coins remain popular among investors today for their prestige, beauty and value.

The early Romans used bronze in their coins, later striking gold coins as the Republic became more sophisticated and wealth. Roman gold coins were struck sparingly, and were often melted down and recycled.

Here’s a few types of Roman coins:

Aureus: This was the “dollar” of the Roman empire, the base of its currency. Aurei were first minted during the Second Punic War and were later used to pay legions and then used as general currency. The earliest aurei weighed about one-fortieth of a Roman pound.

Light aureus: When the Empire’s wealth began to decline, the nation began minting lower-weight aurei, particularly during the reigns of Valerianus and Gallienus. A rise in the value of gold also encouraged this move.

Quinarius: These coins were lighter than the aureus and were worth about half the value of an aureus. These coins are often confused with the light aureus.

Solidus: The solidus was the successor currency to the aureus, minted in the 300s by Constantine I. The coin was produced in volumes and eventually became the standard currency of the late Empire. Half-solidus coins, called semissi, were also minted.

Believe it or not, you don’t have to be rich to collect Roman gold coins. Picking up a few is achievable for even small investors. When seeking to buy Roman gold coins, investors should take caution not to be bamboozled by shady dealers, however.

The best way to avoid fraud is to read books and articles about ancient Roman coinage, use coin price guides to assess value, learn how to identify the coins and beware of fake coins. You should deal only with established, reputable dealers, and insist on documentation of authenticity.

Gold is currently increasing in value, so now is a great time to get into the market. By getting involved in Roman coin collecting, you can pick up a hobby that will allow you to learn more about world history, and that will also grow your wealth. You can also share this enthusiasm with your family, providing a learning experience for your children or grandchildren and an opportunity to bond through a shared interest.