Ancient Greek, Roman, Biblical, Byzantine and Persian coins are offered,  together with numismatic literature and antiquities. The newcomer seeking a first Roman coin and an expert numismatist pursuing fine examples of Greek numismatic art will each find something to interest them at Classical Coins. Much effort has been devoted to making this a site you'll want to return to. Comments are welcomed - please send them to webmaster@classicalcoins.com.

The Introduction page presents "getting started" information,  beginning with navigating our site. An overview of the development of ancient coins, discussions of how to get started as a collector, how ancient  coins were made and how they have been preserved, grading standards and much more make this the perfect place to begin your first visit to Classical Coins.

Go directly to  coin listings via the Coin Index  link, or to  any page via the  Site Map  link at the bottom of each page.

Roman nobles, fascinated by Greek culture, collected Greek coins  and  antiquities during the reign of Augustus Caesar, when the art and science of numismatics began.  Although there is no record of  coin collecting  during the Dark Ages,  Renaissance magnates beginning with Petrarch collected portraits of  emperors on Roman coins. Their willingness to pay high prices for fine portrait specimens led to the first  numismatic imitations,  Paduan medals struck by Cavino and other medalists of the time.

Different coin types attract different personalities.  While Greek coins fascinate collectors drawn to their artistic merit, Roman Imperial  issues attract those who prize their realistic and imposing portraits of emperors and their families. Persian coins have  special meaning to collectors interested in the culture and religion of ancient Iran, and the successors of Alexander issued unusual and attractive Indo-Greek coins in Southwest Asia. Ancient coins were struck in many metals: gold, silver, electrum (a natural gold-silver alloy), brass, bronze, billon  (debased silver), potin, lead and even nickel. Although ancient gold can be expensive, some issues  (notably those of the Byzantine Empire) are very reasonably priced. Silver coins are normally well preserved, however bronze coins often  circulated for long periods and many examples show considerable wear, as well as the effects of natural chemical changes.

Biblical coins offer special attractions to those interested in early Christianity or ancient Jewish culture. Such collectors may seek a "Tribute Penny" denarius, a "Widow's Mite" lepton,  a  "Thirty Pieces of Silver" shekel or coins of Herod and Pontius Pilate.  All these may best be appreciated when presented in their historical context -- the special theme of Classical Coins.

Numismatic literature, in addition to the importance of its content,  is a significant collecting subject. The elegant engraved illustrations of Greek and Roman coins in early numismatic books are treasured today by collectors. Classical Coins offers a wide selection of numismatic books, monographs, sale catalogues and other references. These can be good investments, since they recently have been appreciating even faster than the coins they describe.