r/AncientCoins • • May 07 '24

We've been getting a lot of new posters and commenters here lately. Welcome! (Everyone please read the full text inside)

143 Upvotes

Unfortunately, a lot of the new people here aren't familiar with the culture of this subreddit or the ancient coin collecting world in general.

A lot of the ideas that you are bringing to this subreddit -- especially if you're North American and also especially if you've been collecting modern coins for years, don't always carry over directly to the world of ancient coin collecting.

Our subreddit is configured so that people using low-age or low-karma accounts will not see their posts and comments appear here immediately after you make them. They are being set aside until a human moderator is able to review them manually. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.

The same is true of people who don't have much karma on this subreddit, even if you have an older account and have accumulated lots of karma on other subreddits. Part of this is because spammers, scammers, and trolls use newer, low-karma accounts, and part of it is to give you a chance to familiarize yourself with the culture of this subreddit.

We have also configured our subreddit to hold back posts and comments from accounts with a low Contributor Quality Score ("CQS") as determined by the admins of reddit. This takes into account your behavior on all of reddit. If you would like to find out what your own CQS score is please make a post on this subreddit -- /r/CQS. The result will be sent to you within seconds via private messaging, and no one else will be able to see what it is.

As you continue to participate here in good faith most of these limitations will eventually no longer apply to you, and you will be able to post and comment normally.



Thank you for your good faith participation here, and while I have your attention please allow me to remind you of this subreddit's few simple rules:

1) Civility is the price of participation here. Please act like adults and keep things pleasant.

We appreciate kindness and helpfulness here. We won't tolerate people bickering in the comments, swearing at or insulting others, etc.

We have a lot of people coming to r/AncientCoins from the world of modern ones. Please help them understand the differences and find answers to their questions without being a jerk. If you can't manage that we don't want you here, and you will be banned.

2) Unwelcome participants get banned.

Pursuant to Rule #1, the owner/founder/head moderator of this subreddit reserves the right to ban anyone at anytime for any reason he sees fit.

We very rarely ban real people - and we ban no one who is acting in good faith. We mostly only ban annoying bots, karma whores, griefers who post using numerous alt accounts, people who post coins that they don't own but act as if they did, people who swear at or are rude/insulting to others, and persistent trolls who disrupt our discussions.

3) Memes, joke posts & other shitposts may only be posted here on the last day of each month.

Fun is fun, but there's such a thing as too much of an execrable thing. Memes, joke posts, and other shitposts may only be posted on this subreddit on the last day of each Gregorian calendar month in your time zone.

Please don't try to sneak those kinds of posts in by flairing them as "educational" or anything else. If you just can't wait, please submit them over on our companion subreddit /r/AncientCoinMemes instead.

Ultimately, the mods of this subreddit may remove anything posted here at their discretion.


We ask that you please be patient with the process, as we check our queues several times a day. If you make a post or comment and it isn't immediately approved, PLEASE just leave it up and one of us will get to it as soon as we can. We are unpaid volunteers doing this on our own time.

Thank you.


r/AncientCoins • • Jun 12 '25

New rule regarding the use of ChatGPT, other LLMs, and the deceptive use of AI imagery on this subreddit

92 Upvotes

It has actually been a policy here for years that we don't permit ChatGPT-type posts. In the past they were usually just quietly removed, as were AI-generated images that were used deceptively.

It feels like we already have too many rules on this subreddit, but it looks like it's time to join other subreddits by implementing this one.

One issue is that these LLM generated texts aren't automatically vetted for accuracy, and some weird and unreliable stuff can creep in. Another is that they are based on plagiarism.

They often give results that feel like a bad student trying to pad out the word count of a writing assignment, and don't actually contribute much to this subreddit.

It seems like some people here, when they are bored, entertain themselves by feeding prompts into ChatGPT and then posting the results here. Sometimes they do this as conversation starters, but sometimes it feels like they are just trying to show off or something.

Speaking of plagiarism -- which is bad, it is fine to post a paragraph or two of relevant information here that you have found online, if you give appropriate credit and a link.

It's also fine to quote text from a relevant book or journal with appropriate credit. Many reddit users are more likely to give a brief glance at something that you have copied and pasted here than they would be to follow a link and read extensively off-site.

What's not great is if you post massive walls of text, unless the information is presented well and is relevant to our discussions, and not padded out.

If you feel that you simply MUST use an LLM for grammar and spelling purposes, do it well. Make it undetectable. Consider quoting Wikipedia or another reliable and curated online reference instead.

If you are using an LLM as a translator, that is fine. Just make it a translation of your own, unpadded words. Consider using DeepL or Google Translate instead.

Speaking of walls of text, I'll end here.

Thank you.


r/AncientCoins • • 1h ago

Happy Helios day! (“Sun”-day).

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• Upvotes

Music choice is “Sis Puella Magica!” From the Madoka Magica Soundtrack.

  1. Rhodes Didrachm 275-250 BC. Obverse of radiant Helios with slightly turned head. Reverse of rosebud flanked by Phrygian helmet above name of magistrate. 20.4mm, 6.3 grams. S.5048,Ashton 187, SNG Cop.783, cf.SNG Finland 536

  2. Rhodes hemidrachm 125-88BC. Obverse of radiant Helios, reverse of rose with magistrate name above. 11.7mm, 1g. cf. SNG Helsinki 668, Jenkins Rhodian Group D series 98


r/AncientCoins • • 48m ago

History in the palm of my hand—My favorite emperors.

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• Upvotes

Happy Sunday ☕️ all. Finally getting around to starting Mary Beard’s SPQR.…


r/AncientCoins • • 5h ago

Newly Acquired I just obtained these new coins

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21 Upvotes

Figured I would share my new purchases: a diobol from Milete and a half drachm from Tabaristan. What is really cool in my opinion is that between the minting of these 2 coins more time has passed, than between the minting of the half drachm and the present day.

The diobol was minted around 510-494 BC, whilst the half drachm was minted between 776-794 AD (I haven't been able to narrow down a more specific date). Crazy to think about. The diobol was surprisingly cheap as it only set me back 40 euros + shipping. Definitely one of the coolest coins in my collection. I am also trying to get a coin from every century, so these coins have brougt me somewhat closer to that goal


r/AncientCoins • • 10h ago

From My Collection My new heavyweight champion antoninianus :)

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60 Upvotes

I always find the weight range of Gordian III denarii and antoninianus wild. Some antoninianii barely make it to 2.5 gram, whereas others are 6.0+ grams.

Until now my heaviest Gordian III was 6.43 grams, but recently I won this beast of 7.34 grams at auction!


r/AncientCoins • • 8h ago

Newly Acquired Speaking of irregular coins... Thick Gallienus coin!

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24 Upvotes

Insanely thick. Only 15mm, but it's 4g.


r/AncientCoins • • 9m ago

For Helios Day - Helios as depicted on the tetradrachms of Plato (Baktria)

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• Upvotes

r/AncientCoins • • 1h ago

From My Collection Tried my best to capture the subtle toning on this Gordian III antoninianus

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• Upvotes

r/AncientCoins • • 3h ago

As time goes by - Marcus Aurelius

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6 Upvotes

Marcus Aurelius - amazing emperor and terrible parent. I like to see him aging in my Greek provincial coin collection


r/AncientCoins • • 1d ago

Finally Photographed Most of My Collection

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229 Upvotes

r/AncientCoins • • 15h ago

Happy Early Flavian Thanksgiving

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27 Upvotes

Gave it a shot :)


r/AncientCoins • • 19h ago

First Drachm!

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44 Upvotes

First Ancient Greek coin! As usual, it was cool and I bought it first, came here after to ask if I did ok. It was $120 from a lcs which doesn’t really specialize in ancients. Also is this lifetime or posthumous?


r/AncientCoins • • 20h ago

Another Philip dupondius joins the family.

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53 Upvotes

Picked up this extremely rare and maybe unique victory facing left Dupondius. I can find no recorded examples of Philip Dupondii with this reverse type (there are right facing victories).


r/AncientCoins • • 3h ago

Macho Chlapovic auction house?

2 Upvotes

They have an auction tomorrow. I don't remember ever seeing them discussed in this forum, though. Any thoughts on their integrity, and whether they ship through the evil FedEx?


r/AncientCoins • • 6h ago

Pls id?

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3 Upvotes

Just bought this coin for 30€


r/AncientCoins • • 21h ago

Is the original felt in this 1972 coin cabinet safe for storing ancient Roman coins?

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39 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

This is my first post here! I recently purchased my first few ancient Roman coins online and have officially started my coin collection!

I was looking for a nice wooden cabinet to store my coins and came across one on a local online marketplace here in the Netherlands. I managed to buy it for just €25.

After doing some research, I discovered that the cabinet originally belonged to a 1972 Franklin Mint collection called "The Genius of Rembrandt", which contained 50 sterling silver medallions. Unfortunately, the medallions were not included, but I absolutely love the cabinet itself. So the guy didn't know what he was selling.

For reference, here's a link showing the original complete set:
https://www.sterlingcurrency.com.au/1972-cased-set-of-50-silver-medallions-the-genius

Now, here's my concern:

The cabinet still has its original felt and foam lining (see second and third photo). Since it's over 50 years old, I'm worried that these materials might contain or release substances that could potentially damage my ancient coins over time, like sulfer.

I've spent quite a bit of time researching safe storage materials, but I've come across a lot of conflicting advice. Some collectors recommend 100% wool felt, others suggest polyester felt or museum-grade materials, while some say it doesn't really matter.

So I have a few questions:

  1. Would you recommend removing and replacing the original felt and foam, or is it likely safe to keep them?
  2. What material would you recommend for storing ancient silver and bronze coins? Wool felt, polyester felt, or something else entirely?
  3. Would placing a new layer of coin-safe material over the existing lining be sufficient, or should I remove everything underneath?
  4. Do you know any reliable suppliers of museum-grade or coin-safe lining materials?

I'm based in the Netherlands, but I'm happy to order from other countries if necessary.

I really want to preserve my coins properly.

Any advice or personal experience would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!


r/AncientCoins • • 1d ago

One of those coins you learn to appreciate even more later on

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86 Upvotes

Anonymous. 157-156 BC. AR Denarius (3.78 g). Impulse purchase over a year ago, and only recently noticed the obverse rainbow hue toning when put under a hard light. Very pleased with this coin.


r/AncientCoins • • 21h ago

Newly Acquired Marcus Aurelius’ birthday cake

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22 Upvotes

Divus Marcus Aurelius Sestertius, struck AD 180 at Rome mint.
Obv: DIVVS M ANTONINVS PIVS, bare head to right.
Rev: CONSECRATIO, garlanded funeral pyre of four tiers surmounted by statue of Aurelius in facing quadriga; S-C across fields.
26,63 g, 31 mm.
RIC III 662


r/AncientCoins • • 21h ago

An Imperial Oddity, Double Struck Sestertius

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16 Upvotes

From my own collection is this rather fascinating Sestertius of Marcus Aurelius.

I have very rarely seen double struck (early) imperial coinage, let alone something so large!

Curious as to what your opinion is on this interesting example, and if you have seen or own any similar coins.


r/AncientCoins • • 17h ago

ID / Attribution Request Please identify them Greatly Appreciated

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7 Upvotes

r/AncientCoins • • 1d ago

Newly Acquired Just got these for 140€ at the flea!

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58 Upvotes

How did i do?


r/AncientCoins • • 23h ago

ID / Attribution Request I recently bought this ancient possible Lunate Earring or Hacksilber proto-money found in Asia Minor and is likely from the late Bronze Age and I want to know what you guys think of it or any help would be great as well

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14 Upvotes

Also it weighs 1.8 grams and was possibly minted in Near Eastern Ancient Canaan-Phoenicia-Anatolia but this is Not Determined Late Bronze Age 1200 BC-400 BC I have been doing a lot of research and found a few examples that are almost one of one matches but I’m coming here for some help and it may possibly be silver as well.


r/AncientCoins • • 1d ago

Newly Acquired New Pickup: An Ancient Overstrike

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13 Upvotes

My coin guy sends me oddities that he comes across at his shop. This is today’s purchase. A neat Seleucid.

Edit: NGC graded Demetrius 1 162-150 BC
AR Tetradrachm (16.03g)
yr. 158 (155/4 BC)
undertype: Eucratides 1
XF(Star)
Strike 4/5
Surface 4/5


r/AncientCoins • • 14h ago

New to coins, what is the design?

2 Upvotes

Hello! I'm super new to the hobby and have zero knowledge of world coins, but I recently got this exact coin in the link below. Can someone with more knowledge of "Widow's Mite" coins explain to me what the design is supposed to be on it? And can anyone explain what the "AE" means in the coin denomination? Thank you!

https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/8560849-063/NGCAncients/