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Collecting Ancient Coins

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By Froggy213


A bronze Widow's Mite or Prutah, minted by Alexander Jannaeus, King of Judaea, 103 - 76 B.C. obverse: anchor upside-down in circle, reverse: star of eight rays From the private collection of Randy Benzie

Coins Of Old

Not long ago I purchased a "widows mite". This was coinage from the days of Jesus. They came in many different types. The image is a lot like the one I purchased. Mine is not nearly in as good shape as the picture.

For the coin collector, ancient coins can be quite fascinating. There are many, many different ancient coins from several different empires. They come in copper, silver, and even gold.

I will share some of the different types of ancient coins and will share some pictures of them.

Some of these coins can be very expensive and others are really very reasonable.

Be cautious when purchasing ancient coins and buy from good, reputable dealers. There have been counterfeits made as with other coins.

Scroll down and fly back in history. Let's check out coins of ancient days.


Click thumbnail to view full-size
Romanus II (Sole Reign?), 959 - 963 A.D.
Romanus II (Sole Reign?), 959 - 963 A.D.

Biblical Coins

Widows mites were not the only coins from Biblical days. There were many others too.

The Byzantine empire minted many coins that depicted Christ on them. See the photographs. The two coins represent different eras in the Byzantine empire.

Another coin mentioned in the Bible is the tribute penny. These were silver and there is one pictured at the right.

Also in the Bible, you will read about Judas accepting 30 pieces of silver to give up Jesus. One of those coins is also pictured.

Also pictured here is a coin that one of the three kings that visited Jesus in the manger very well could have been carrying.

I also have one of the "tax" coins used to pay the yearly tax at the temple in Jerusalem. It is 1/2 shekel of silver.

These are just a few of the Biblical coins. Oh, what fun to collect and the discussions they can create!


Faustina Sr., Augusta 25 February 138 - early 141, wife of Antoninus Pius Gold
Faustina Sr., Augusta 25 February 138 - early 141, wife of Antoninus Pius Gold
Roman Republic, C. Antius C. f. Restio, 47 B.C. Silver
Roman Republic, C. Antius C. f. Restio, 47 B.C. Silver
Marc Antony, Octavian and Lepidus, Triumvirs, 26 November 43 - 36 B.C. Bronze
Marc Antony, Octavian and Lepidus, Triumvirs, 26 November 43 - 36 B.C. Bronze
Augustus, 16 January 27 B.C. - 19 August 14 A.D., Caius reverse Silver
Augustus, 16 January 27 B.C. - 19 August 14 A.D., Caius reverse Silver
Caligula, 16 March 37 - 24 January 41 A.D., Apamea, Phrygia Bronze
Caligula, 16 March 37 - 24 January 41 A.D., Apamea, Phrygia Bronze
Quintillus, August or September - October or November 270 A.D. Bronze
Quintillus, August or September - October or November 270 A.D. Bronze

Roman Coins

There are many, many types of Roman coins. Rome was a great and mighty empire and each ruler had his head depicted on a coin.

I will share a few of the coins from Caesers and Emperors such as Julius Caeser, Augustus, Tiberias, and others. They had gold, silver, copper and other precious metals used in the minting of these coins.

Many of the Roman coins are very expensive, but can be a very good investment as their value goes up quite regularly.

These are just a few.


Commodus, March or April 177 - 31 Dec 192 A.D., Philippopolis, Thrace Bronze
Commodus, March or April 177 - 31 Dec 192 A.D., Philippopolis, Thrace Bronze
Cappadocian Kingdom, c. 130 - 80 B.C.; In the Name of the Seleukid King, Antiochos VII, 138 - 129 B.C. Silver
Cappadocian Kingdom, c. 130 - 80 B.C.; In the Name of the Seleukid King, Antiochos VII, 138 - 129 B.C. Silver
Baktria, Diodotus I as Satrap for Antiochus II Theos, c. 255 - 250 B.C. Gold
Baktria, Diodotus I as Satrap for Antiochus II Theos, c. 255 - 250 B.C. Gold
Alexander III The Great, Macedonian Kingdom, 336 - 323 B.C. Gold
Alexander III The Great, Macedonian Kingdom, 336 - 323 B.C. Gold
Chalkis, Euboea, Greece, 340 - 271 B.C. Silver
Chalkis, Euboea, Greece, 340 - 271 B.C. Silver

Greek Coins

The other major empire in ancient days were the Greeks.

Some of the Greek coins I have seen are just magnificent!

Greek ancient coins, much like Roman coins, came in many different metals; gold, silver, bronze, etc...

Here are just a few pictured. As with Rome, the Greeks had many emperors and rulers and had many different coins.

Collect Some

For the coin collector, some ancient coins should also be in your collection.

As you can see above, you can find some very good deals on some ancient coins.

Many of the coin pictures were borrowed from the site I have below. They are a very reputable dealer. Check their web site out for some great deals.

I hope you all learned a little something about ancient coins.

Let's go coin collecting!!


© G.L. Boudonck

Comments

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sophieqd profile image

sophieqd  says:
8 months ago

I enjoyed reading your hub. It was very informative. I will come back to read more of your other hubs.

sophieqd profile image

sophieqd  says:
8 months ago

Collecting Ancient Coins

I enjoyed reading your hub. It was very informative. I will come back to read more of your other hubs.

Fotos4web  says:
8 months ago

Fascinating article on Collecting Ancient Coins - I used to go treasure hunting for Roman silver coins when I lived in England.Just one thing though - there are fake Roman gold coins about originating in Lebanon - please only buy graded coins to ensure you get real ones ! Keith

http://www.greatgoldcoins.net

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