My Journey to Discovering Lovely Ancient Coins Under $100

Retirement’s given me more time for coins, but it’s also meant tightening my belt. I’ve swapped those big-ticket purchases for a new quest: hunting down beautiful ancient pieces for under $100 total—shipping and fees included. What a revelation! Turns out there’s a whole world of affordable treasures out there, and I’ve loved exploring this thrifty side of our hobby.

My Personal Finds and Favorites

Lately I’ve been chasing coins that fit my collecting themes without emptying my wallet. Take that Byzantine piece I found for under $30, or the Roman coin with the Chi-Rho symbol—Constantine’s rare emblem—that cost me just shy of $100. That Roman beauty, steeped in history, now holds pride of place in my collection. Proof positive that scarcity and artistry don’t demand a king’s ransom.

Then there was that Constantius II follis I gambled on uncleaned for less than $5. After some gentle cleaning, turns out it’s incredibly rare—rated R4 with only a handful known! That little adventure taught me uncleaned coins can be like time capsules, especially when you’re ready to dig into the research.

Examples of Affordable Coins I’ve Encountered

Want proof ancients can be budget-friendly? Here are some gems I’ve snagged or spotted:

• A Gallienus “Zoo series” antoninianus with a crisp antelope reverse—$41 and worth every penny
• That Classical Greek hemidrachm from Thessaly (ex-BCD collection) with dreamy toning—a steal at $80
• A Hellenistic bronze from Syracuse showing Kore and a butting bull—dark, glossy patina for just $34
• A VF denarius of Faustina I—imperial Roman silver for only $45!
• My favorite bargain? Eight old coppers including a Spanish cob piece—£20 (about $27) from a charity shop

Practical Tips for Budget Collecting

Here’s what I’ve learned about finding quality under $100:

• Auctions beat dealers: I get better deals where prices are bid-driven. Once paid $100 at a dealer for something I later realized was overpriced—now I stick to auction houses where competition keeps things fair.
• Handle uncleaned coins gently: My Constantius II taught me this—research cleaning methods first! Use reference books to ID them after they’re clean.
• Cross-check everything: I always verify against RIC and Wildwinds. Sometimes variants aren’t in standard references—double-checking helps spot rare mint marks.
• Remember the extras: Factor in fees and shipping upfront. I bid lower at auctions or hunt free shipping deals to stay under budget.
• Think outside the coin shop: Charity shops, eBay, estate sales—that’s where I found that £20 lot. Stay open to unexpected places!

Market Insights and Encouragement

From where I stand, the under-$100 market’s buzzing with opportunity. Patience rewards you with VF or better coins, and rarity doesn’t always mean expensive—just look at my Constantius II! Focusing on themes like Christian symbols or specific emperors helps me hunt smarter.

Building a meaningful collection on a budget? Absolutely doable. I’ve fallen in love with the thrill of the chase all over again. Give it a shot—you’ll be amazed what ancient beauty you can uncover for less than a Benjamin.