Exploring the Middle Age Coin Game: My Numismatic Adventure

I’ve been hooked on medieval coins since I first held one, so when I started this century-by-century challenge covering 500 to 1500 CE, it felt like stepping into my own time machine. Hunting down pieces from empires like Byzantine, Sasanian, and Ostrogoth has been equal parts detective work and treasure hunt. Today I’ll walk you through what I’ve discovered – the standout coins, practical approaches, and those “aha” moments that make collecting this era so rewarding.

Getting Started with the Middle Ages

My adventure began with the tricky 500-600 CE period where dates rarely appear on coins. Take Justinian I – his reign from 527-565 AD spills across two centuries! I quickly learned to lean on mint marks and inscriptions as my anchors. Tracing these clues not only helped date pieces but made me feel connected to history in a new way – like holding a Byzantine tremessis while reading about their expansion campaigns.

Coins That Tell Stories

Over the years, certain pieces have become real showstoppers in my collection. A few that still give me that collector’s thrill:

• Byzantine Gold Tremissis of Justinian I (527-565 AD): Minted in Constantinople with those distinctive “D N IUSTINIANUS PP AV” inscriptions. You’ll find these in many collections, but a truly full strike in mint condition? That’s a tough one to track down.
• Sasanian Silver Drachm of Khusru II (591-628 AD): Straddles our centuries beautifully. What surprised me was how these Persian coins often keep their crisp details despite being nearly 1,500 years old – a great starter piece if you’re new to the region.
• Ostrogoth Gold Solidus (512-517 AD): Hefty 4.5g coins minted in Rome under Anastasius I’s name. The ones issued for Theodorich I carry serious historical weight but test your patience – high-grade examples play hard to get.
• Huna Empire Gold Dinara (c. 545-575 AD): My personal dark horse! Modeled after Sasanian designs but minted in Sind, these capture the Hun chieftains’ power. Took me three years to find mine – pure numismatic joy when it finally appeared.

Coins like Justin II’s solidus (565-578 AD) turn up more frequently, but keep your loupe handy for mint variations – Carthage strikes differ noticeably from Constantinople issues.

Hands-On Tips for Collectors

Here’s what my notebooks say after years in the trenches:

• Dating Without Dates: Reign periods are your best friend. Justinian’s first solidus type (527-538 AD)? Look for “KYZ” mint marks from Cyzicus – saved me from several misattributions.
• Cross-Century Rulers: When kings like Khusru II rule across periods, double-check with standard references. I keep Sear and RIC numbers scribbled in my auction catalogues.
• Mint Marks Matter: That tiny “CON” for Constantinople or “RO” for Rome tells you more than you’d think. And always weigh solidi – later issues like Maurice Tiberius’s 23-silique coins run noticeably light.
• Market Savvy: Common rulers like Justin II won’t break the bank, but rarities like Theodosius III? Be ready for competition. My best scores came from building relationships with specialist dealers.

What to Look For: Condition and Rarity

In this era, grading separates the ordinary from the extraordinary. An FDC Justinian tremessis? That’s retirement-fund material. I’ve seen Maurice Tiberius consular solidi with crisp details become collection centerpieces overnight. And historical context drives value – coins tied to events like Phocas’s 602 AD coup (poor Maurice!) carry serious rarity premiums. My rule? Always prioritize surface quality and strike strength – even a common drachm with “personality” beats a worn rarity.

This century-hopping journey taught me that medieval coins aren’t just metal – they’re frozen moments of history. Whether you’re in it for the art, the history, or the thrill of pursuit, these centuries deliver. May your next find be your best yet!