Ancient & Medieval Coin Values

Roman Imperial • Provincial • Republic • Greek • Byzantine • Medieval — Six Traditions, One Price Guide

What Ancient & Medieval Coins Are Actually Worth

Most ancient and medieval coins on the market today sell for $15 to $300 — genuine 1,500-to-2,000-year-old history is far more affordable than most new collectors expect, since Rome, Greece, Byzantium, and medieval Europe collectively struck coins by the billions over two millennia. The rare exceptions are what get the headlines: the current auction record for a single ancient coin sits at roughly $6 million, set by a rare Greek gold stater, while coins tied to famous events — like the denarii Brutus struck to commemorate Julius Caesar's assassination — have sold for well over $3 million.

Value across every era comes down to the same four factors: metal (gold and silver command steep premiums over bronze and copper), rarity of the specific ruler or type, condition and strike quality, and historical significance. A worn bronze coin from a common late-Roman emperor might sell for $10, while a similar-looking coin tied to a pivotal historical figure or moment can be worth a hundred times as much — which is exactly why authentication and attribution matter so much in this category (more on that below).

This page covers typical values across all six major collecting eras in one place. For the fuller history and collecting story behind each tradition, see our dedicated Ancient Roman Coins, Ancient Greek Coins, Byzantine Coins, and Medieval Coins guides, or start with our What's My Coin Worth tool and full Coin Price Guide for U.S. and world coins.

~2,700 yrs

Since the first coins were struck in Lydia — the origin point of every tradition on this page.

$6M

Current auction record for a single ancient coin — a rare Greek gold stater.

$10–$30

Typical starting price for a genuine, recognizable late-Roman or Byzantine bronze coin.

Six Collecting Eras at a Glance

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Roman Imperial

27 BC–476 AD. Emperor portraits from Augustus to the empire's fall.

🏺

Roman Provincial

100–400 AD. Locally struck bronze and billon from Antioch, Alexandria, and beyond.

⚔️

Roman Republic

300 BC–27 BC. Denarii before the emperors — moneyers, deities, political drama.

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Greek

450 BC–100 AD. The artistic peak of ancient coinage — city-state tetradrachms and staters.

✝️

Byzantine

300–1400 AD. The gold solidus — a thousand years of unbroken imperial coinage.

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Medieval

500–1500 AD. Hammered silver pennies and groats from kingdoms across Europe.

Coin Values by Era

Roman Imperial Coins

27 BC – 476 AD

Most Roman Imperial coins are common bronze and silver issues, typically $20 to $400 depending on denomination and condition — gold aurei and coins of famous emperors like Julius Caesar or Augustus can bring $1,000 to $8,000 or more.

Coin Type	Metal	Worn–Fine	VF–XF+	Shop
Denarius	Silver	$50 – $150	$150 – $400	Shop →
Sestertius	Bronze/Brass	$30 – $150	$150 – $500	Shop →
As / Dupondius	Copper/Bronze	$20 – $80	$80 – $250	Shop →
Antoninianus	Silver/Billon	$25 – $75	$75 – $200	Shop →
Follis (Late Imperial)	Bronze	$15 – $50	$50 – $200	Shop →
Aureus	Gold	$2,000 – $4,000	$4,000 – $8,000+	Shop →

Roman Provincial Coins

100 – 400 AD

Struck locally at mints like Antioch and Alexandria rather than Rome, blending Roman authority with regional Greek-style design — most bronze and billon examples sell for $30 to $300.

Coin Type	Metal	Worn–Fine	VF–XF+	Shop
Provincial Bronze (AE)	Bronze	$30 – $100	$100 – $300	Shop →
Alexandria Billon Tetradrachm	Billon	$40 – $120	$120 – $350	Shop →
Antioch Provincial Silver	Silver	$50 – $150	$150 – $400	Shop →

Roman Republic Coins

300 BC – 27 BC

Common Republic denarii typically sell for $75 to $200, while coins tied to famous political figures — Julius Caesar, Brutus, Mark Antony — can bring $1,000 to well over $10,000.

Coin Type	Metal	Worn–Fine	VF–XF+	Shop
Republican Denarius (common)	Silver	$75 – $200	$200 – $600	Shop →
Republican As / Bronze	Bronze/Copper	$30 – $100	$100 – $300	Shop →
Political-Figure Portrait Types	Silver	$1,000 – $3,000	$3,000 – $10,000+	Shop →

Greek Coins

450 BC – 100 AD

Small bronze city-state issues start around $30, while a classic Athenian "owl" tetradrachm typically runs $1,200 to $6,000 depending on strike quality and centering.

Coin Type	Metal	Worn–Fine	VF–XF+	Shop
Athenian "Owl" Tetradrachm	Silver	$1,200 – $2,500	$2,500 – $6,000+	Shop →
City-State Drachm	Silver	$75 – $200	$200 – $600	Shop →
Bronze AE (city-state)	Bronze	$30 – $100	$100 – $300	Shop →
Obol / Small Silver Fractions	Silver	$40 – $120	$120 – $350	Shop →

Byzantine Coins

300 – 1400 AD

Gold solidi in average condition typically trade for $500 to $1,500. Everyday bronze folles are far more affordable, usually $20 to $200 depending on emperor and strike quality.

Coin Type	Metal	Worn–Fine	VF–XF+	Shop
Solidus / Nomisma	Gold	$500 – $900	$900 – $1,500	Shop →
Follis (large "M" bronze)	Bronze/Copper	$20 – $60	$60 – $200	Shop →
Half-Follis / Decanummium	Bronze/Copper	$15 – $40	$40 – $120	Shop →
Miliaresion	Silver	$75 – $200	$200 – $500	Shop →

Medieval Coins

500 – 1500 AD

Medieval hammered silver coins — English pennies, Continental groschen, and similar issues — are among the most affordable historical coins, most selling for $30 to $150 in collectible condition.

Coin Type	Metal	Worn–Fine	VF–XF+	Shop
English Hammered Penny	Silver	$30 – $80	$80 – $200	Shop →
Groat (4-pence silver)	Silver	$40 – $120	$120 – $300	Shop →
Continental Hammered Silver	Silver	$40 – $100	$100 – $250	Shop →
Crusader States / Islamic Dirham	Silver	$50 – $150	$150 – $400	Shop →

How to Identify an Authentic Ancient Coin

The most reliable protection against forgeries is buying NGC Ancients or PCGS certified examples — third-party authentication that dramatically reduces risk on any purchase over $200–$300. For raw (uncertified) coins, sticking with dealers who belong to the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) or the International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN) adds meaningful confidence, since both organizations enforce authenticity guarantees.

Genuine ancient and medieval coins were struck by hand from engraved dies, so every real example carries small individual quirks — slightly off-center strikes, minor die wear, natural surface toning built up over centuries. Cast forgeries, by contrast, often show a telltale porous or sandy surface texture, incorrect weight for the type, and seam lines left by the casting mold. Studying genuine examples builds an eye for this over time, but for anything above a modest price point, certification remains the safer bet for new collectors.

Never clean an ancient or medieval coin

Cleaning — scrubbing, polishing, or using chemical dips — strips original surfaces and patina that took centuries to form, and it can cut a coin's value by 50% or more even when the cleaning is done carefully. If a coin looks dirty or encrusted, leave it as found and consult a professional conservator rather than attempting to clean it yourself.

Can you legally own ancient coins?

Yes — ancient and medieval coins are legally collected worldwide, and the vast majority in the market have circulated through legitimate commercial channels for decades. Some countries with significant archaeological heritage restrict export of newly excavated material, so buying from established dealers with documented provenance is the safest path.

Grading Ancient & Medieval Coins

Grading for hand-struck coins differs meaningfully from the wear-based conventions used for modern U.S. coins. Because ancient and medieval coins were struck with variable die pressure — and often show original manufacturing flaws like weak strikes, die breaks, or off-center striking that have nothing to do with circulation wear — grading places heavier emphasis on strike quality and centering alongside the traditional condition scale. A coin graded "Very Fine" with a full, sharp strike can be worth more than an "Extremely Fine" example with a weak or off-center strike, which is the opposite of how modern coin grading usually works.

NGC Ancients uses a numeric scale similar to modern coins but adds strike and surface-quality descriptors (Fine Style, Choice, etc.) that carry real weight in valuation. Medieval hammered coins add another wrinkle: because they were struck between hand-engraved dies without a collar, off-center strikes and clipped flans are extremely common and expected — a well-centered hammered penny commands a real premium over an off-center example of the same type and ruler.

Where to Buy Ancient & Medieval Coins

Standard bullion dealers don't carry ancient or medieval numismatic coins, so eBay is the primary marketplace across all six eras on this page — always filter for NGC or PCGS certified examples on purchases over $200 to minimize authentication risk.

eBay — Certified Ancient Coins

PCGS and NGC certified Roman, Greek, and Byzantine coins across every era covered on this page.

Shop Ancient Coins →

eBay — Medieval Coins

Hammered silver pennies, groats, and Continental issues from kingdoms across medieval Europe.

Shop Medieval Coins →

100 Greatest Ancient Coins

A catalog of 100 landmark coins spanning every tradition on this page.

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Handbook of Ancient Greek and Roman Coins book cover

Handbook of Ancient Greek & Roman Coins

Over 1,000 full-size photos for identifying dates, mints, and inscriptions.

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Find Ancient & Medieval Coins on eBay

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much are ancient coins worth?

Most ancient and medieval coins sell for $15 to $300 in collectible condition — common bronze and worn silver issues are genuinely affordable. Value climbs sharply for gold denominations, rare rulers, and historically significant types, with the very top of the market (like the current $6 million auction record) reserved for exceptionally rare pieces.

How can I tell if an ancient coin is real?

Buying NGC Ancients or PCGS certified examples is the most reliable protection for purchases over $200–$300. For raw coins, buy from dealers affiliated with the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) or International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN). Genuine coins show natural die-struck characteristics and appropriate weight for their type; cast forgeries often show a porous surface texture and seam lines.

What is the oldest coin in the world?

The earliest coins were struck in Lydia (modern western Turkey) in the 7th century BC, made from electrum — a natural gold-silver alloy. This Lydian innovation is the direct ancestor of every coinage tradition covered on this page, including Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and eventually medieval European coinage.

What is the most valuable ancient coin ever sold?

The current auction record for a single ancient coin is roughly $6 million, set by a rare Greek gold stater sold at a Swiss auction house. The famous "EID MAR" denarius commemorating Julius Caesar's assassination — one of the most historically significant Roman coins — has also sold for several million dollars in recent years.

Can I legally own ancient coins?

Yes — ancient coins are legally collected worldwide, and most coins on the market have circulated through legitimate commercial channels for decades or centuries. Some countries with significant archaeological heritage restrict export of newly excavated antiquities, so buying from established, reputable dealers with documented provenance minimizes any legal concerns.

What's the cheapest way to start collecting ancient coins?

Common late-Roman and early Byzantine bronze coins from the 3rd–5th centuries are the most accessible entry point, often available for $10–$30 for a recognizable, genuine example. For silver, common Roman Republic or early Imperial denarii in Fine to Very Fine condition typically start around $50–$100.

Should I clean an ancient coin before selling or displaying it?

No — cleaning strips original surfaces and centuries of natural patina, and it can cut a coin's value by half or more even when done carefully. If a coin looks dirty or encrusted, leave it as-is and consult a professional numismatic conservator rather than attempting to clean it yourself.

Prices shown reflect APMEX's listing at time of page load and may change.