This is a rare opportunity to own a collection of ancient Roman coins from 20 different Emperors who ruled in the 3rd and 4th centuries A.D.  It covers about 200 years of fascinating history, from the era of the Roman Empire being centered in Rome to the new capital in Constantinople.  Each coin is a genuine artifact that is up to 1,800 years old, and together they make a collection of unprecedented importance. 

This is a collection that belongs in a museum.  It is a fascinating look at the ever-changing history of the ancient Roman Empire.  The front of each coin depicts the portrait of the Emperor who authorized its minting, as well as his name in Latin.  The back shows symbols of authority or other items that reinforced the Emperor’s power, as well as gods, goddesses, and people from Roman mythology.

At the time these coins were minted, the Roman Empire covered a massive area.  It stretched from Britain to Persia (Iran) and required a huge military to keep order and put down insurrections.  The soldiers were usually paid with these coins, which were often struck at various mints throughout the empire.

All coins were struck by hand by skilled artisans.  Coin-making machinery did not exist.  Each of these coins is therefore a unique artifact and is slightly different from all others.  They are not perfectly round, and the designs are rarely perfectly centered;  this is normal for coins of the ancient Roman Empire.  What’s more, the size and weight of the coins changed over the years.  Some coins are bronze while others are silver. 

The 20 Emperors in this collection may vary slightly, but a typical collection includes the following Emperors:

• Constantine the Great, 307-337 – the first Christian to hold the title of Roman Emperor.  He reigned from 307-337 A.D. and is considered one of the most important emperors.  He moved the capital of the ancient Roman Empire from Rome to Constantinople (present-day Istanbul).

• Constantius II, 337-361 – the second son of Constantine the Great.

• Gallienus, 253-268 – renowned as a great leader and had success against German tribes in the struggle to control the Rhine region. 

• Licinius I, 308-324 – one of six men who claimed the title of Roman Emperor in 308 A.D. at a time when the Roman Empire was badly divided.

Very few of these coins exist today.  It was normal practice for a new Emperor to destroy all the coins of his predecessors and make new coins with his own portrait.  This was done, in part, to remind both the soldiers and the citizens throughout the ancient Roman Empire who the current Emperor was.  Most of the existing coins have been discovered in archaeological excavations or discovered by accident in ancient hiding places. 

Although this is a collection that you would expect to find in a museum, all of these coins are legal to own.  Of course, each coin is guaranteed to be 100% authentic as described. 

It would be virtually impossible to assemble a collection like this on your own, but we have done all the work for you.  Each coin is individually protected in a special archival capsule that protects it from dirt and fingerprints, and the complete 20-coin collection comes in a deluxe wooden presentation case with a plaque inscribed with a list of the 20 Emperors.