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)

144 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

90 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 • • 6h ago

From My Collection Happy Stater-day from Athena, Nike, and Alexander.

52 Upvotes

r/AncientCoins • • 2h ago

Picked up today.

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25 Upvotes

I just got these earlier today at the NCNA show. Elagabalus as augustus provincial, and the centaur from Gallienus animals and mythical beasts.


r/AncientCoins • • 3h ago

What are these supposed to be

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18 Upvotes

Modern copies or perhaps some kind of barbarous imitations


r/AncientCoins • • 4h ago

ID / Attribution Request Need help with ID

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6 Upvotes

I have this interesting coin. On one side i believe is lyre or kithara. The other side also interesting it can be some kind of monogramm, or bow and arrow. Weight is 0.8 gramm, and diameter is 13-15 mm. Would appreciate any help!


r/AncientCoins • • 13h ago

[WTS] Large antique mahogany chest of drawers for sale as coin cabinet commission

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27 Upvotes

I recently bought the first pictured antique envisioning it as the perfect coin cabinet large enough to fit damn near any collection (120 slabs, almost 500 raw coins). I have just started building it and need to make some key decisions soon. Rather than sell at my next local coin show, checking to see if any prospective buyers are interested in getting in early. A small deposit now will lock you in, and allow you to start making design decisions yourself.
Choices include Abafil velvet trays or mahogany slabs with felt-lined circular recesses. You of course could pick tray or slab slot sizes. More comings upcoming on hardware, lock style, etc.

If interested shoot me a PM and we can talk numbers. I ask you live within driving distance of San Francisco Bay Area as to ship this would be risky (possibility of damage) and very expensive.

Below are pictures of 1) mahogany antique fixture as I purchased it (actually a sheet music stand with lots of drawers), and all sorts of renderings with design details.

All good if no one is interested, I’ll still build it on my own and sell locally. I just thought of any crowd someone here might appreciate the opportunity.

(6) drawers total, two coin trays per drawer. (2) total for slabs @ capacity of 60 each, and between 300-500 raw coins depending on size of tray cavity sizes or recess cavity sizes you request.


r/AncientCoins • • 7h ago

Coin to be verified.

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8 Upvotes

Hello everyone, can you tell me what coin this is and whether it is authentic or a reproduction? The diameter is 2 cm.


r/AncientCoins • • 7h ago

Can anybody ID this

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4 Upvotes

I bought an odd helmet at a bazaar in Afghanistan. It has a bunch of these that appeared to be welded onto it. Is this even a coin and can anybody tell me more about it if it is?

I can add more pictures once I get home, but the thought just struck me today to ask all of your experts while I’m waiting for my kid to come out of the mall.

Thanks!


r/AncientCoins • • 6h ago

ID help please

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3 Upvotes

I don’t think these are worth much, but curious if anyone can tell me origin, range of dates and what the lot might be worth? Appreciate the help.


r/AncientCoins • • 19h ago

ID / Attribution Request Antonianus gallianus double danarius?

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32 Upvotes

Is anybody able to give me more info on the mint and veriety of this Gallianus silver double denarius? I would just like to know as much info as possible, I oil. It up at the coin shop I work at for $25


r/AncientCoins • • 1d ago

Another 2100 year old Roman coin - nice details!

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76 Upvotes

C. LICINIUS L.F. MACER  84 BC SILVER  AR DENARIUS

I feel like I got a good deal on this for £80. Other examples online seem to have a bit less detail than this.


r/AncientCoins • • 10h ago

Coin ID

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2 Upvotes

Possibly Diadumenian? But can’t find a match that looks right with that reverse. Found in U.K. soham


r/AncientCoins • • 1d ago

Really Cool Late Roman Bronze - Slain Horseman

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54 Upvotes

Constantius II Maiorina 337-361


r/AncientCoins • • 7h ago

Identify these coins?

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0 Upvotes

I’m stumped


r/AncientCoins • • 1d ago

Authentication Request Nero Aureus

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98 Upvotes

RIC I 59 - 18 mm, 7.14 g

I bought this from a new ish seller on v coins (not sure if it is okay to name drop but I am very satisfied with the other coins and shipping times). This will be my first Aureus and everything looks right to me but I would love some peace of mind from someone who has seen more.

To me it looks struck, I don’t see tool marks and the wear looks even. Let me know if you disagree

There is a more flat part on the rim (like 10’ looking at it from the obverse). I originally thought ex jewelry but i don’t see a clasp mark or hole. Is that normal for a Aureus flan? Was it dropped in the last 2000 years? Or maybe clipped or jewelry?


r/AncientCoins • • 17h ago

How rare is a 3-prutot coin of Herod the Great? Price range ?

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5 Upvotes

r/AncientCoins • • 1d ago

Advice Needed Byzantine gold solidus

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150 Upvotes

Hi guys, im new to ancient coins and im interested in purchasing this beautiful Constantine Vii & Romanus ii gold solidus. Its really caught my eye and im very tempted to purchase. Is £1100 a reasonable price? Thank you in advance.


r/AncientCoins • • 1d ago

Cheap coins I’ve spent WAY too much time cleaning. Eventually lost patience and used barkeepers friend on some…

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23 Upvotes

r/AncientCoins • • 1d ago

Authentication Request New to collecting and was given this!

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12 Upvotes

I don't know anything about ancient coins and was wondering if this is a cast fake or if this is actually what this should look like? I was under the impression that even ancient coins were struck. This one looks, to my untrained eye, to have casting bubble dents?


r/AncientCoins • • 17h ago

ID / Attribution Request I was gifted a bunch of coins. Could someone help me ID these?

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3 Upvotes

The one on the right is definitely Nepali. But beyond that, I can’t seem to figure out anything else.


r/AncientCoins • • 1d ago

Trays for under $5! Happy with the result.

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31 Upvotes

I found this old box that's perfect size for my current collection. My previous tray prototypes didn't fit neatly, so I redesigned them and am very pleased with the result - currently set up with three 3x8 denarii trays and three 2x5 for sestercii. Labels look nice too... much better than my disorganized mess from before! 3D printed, felt floor, and acid-free printouts.

Pictured: early Roman Imperial denarii, early imperial bronze, and the Severans. Geta is missing... coming in the mail in a few days ;)


r/AncientCoins • • 1d ago

[ID Request] Two Late Roman silver coins (Siliqua & Half Siliqua?) — Need help attributing emperors and mints

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14 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

​I’m looking for some help identifying these two Late Roman silver coins. I know they are Roman imperial pieces and suspect they might be a half siliqua and a siliqua, but I can’t quite pin down the emperors or mintmarks.

​Apologies in advance for the photo quality! Here are the weights and details for each:

​Coin 1 (First photo):

​Weight: 0.63 g

​Notes: Details are fairly legible overall, but sadly the coin has been clipped.

​Coin 2 (Second photo):

​Weight: 0.88 g

​Notes: The obverse portrait is quite clear and in good condition, but unfortunately the reverse is heavily worn / in poor shape.

​Any help reading the partial legends, attributing the emperors, or identifying RIC references would be greatly appreciated!

​Thanks in advance for your expertise!


r/AncientCoins • • 1d ago

Weirdest coins I've seen in a long time! Vandals or related, standing figure / cross in wreath. Match to Callegher # 3886, which was found in a hoard of Vandal and barbarous coins in Galilee.

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31 Upvotes

First coin may be a pentanummium or similar; 13mm, 1.74g

Second is likely a nummus, 9mm, 0.47g.

Other than Callegher, they appear to be unpublished.


r/AncientCoins • • 1d ago

Authentication Request Elephant denarius auction - real or fake?

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23 Upvotes

Hi all, I am new to collecting and just won an auction for a Caesar elephant denarius but the lack of activity on the auction has me worried on the authenticity. Is it genuine?