My Rarest Coin Finds: Tales from a Lifetime of Collecting

As a lifelong coin collector, I’ve spent decades immersed in numismatics, and nothing compares to the thrill of unearthing rare pieces that speak volumes about ancient civilizations. Let me share some standout finds from my journey and what they’ve taught me about rarity, history, and pure collecting joy.

Standout Rarities in My Collection

Over the years, I’ve stumbled upon coins that still make my heart race. Take my Etruscan AE26 from Central Italy (circa 300-250 BC) – its dark green patina frames a male figure holding a scepter and patera with a dog at his feet. You’ll find this rarity in specialized references like SNG Cop. 44, but holding it feels like touching history. Then there’s my Seleucid tetradrachm of Antiochos Hierax from Alexandreia Troas (242-227 BC). That silver stunner features Antiochos I’s portrait on one side and Apollo Delphios seated on an omphalos on the other. I found it in a dealer’s hoard after sifting through hundreds of coins – proof that persistence pays off with bright gVF surfaces.

• A Constantine I follis from Siscia (AD 319) with a unique obverse bust and two Victories holding a shield – only three others known to exist
• My Ionian Klazomenai AE10.7 (4th century BC) showing Athena and a ram with winged boar – unpublished in major references and never seen online
• The Carthaginian 15-shekel beast weighing 95 grams, featuring Tanit and a horse with raised foreleg – just four known specimens exist

Understanding the Elusive Nature of Rarity

Rarity can be surprisingly slippery. I once landed an Alexandrian obol of Marcus Aurelius rated R5 by Emmett (meaning only one or two major collections hold it) for less than you’d expect. Meanwhile, “common” coins sometimes vanish for years. My advice? Always verify rarity claims using online archives like CNG or Wildwinds and standard references. Remember that hoards can reshape markets overnight – like the Seville find that flooded dealers with previously “rare” coins. Focus on quality: a gVF coin with sharp details and intact surfaces often offers more satisfaction than chasing rarity alone.

Practical Advice for Fellow Collectors

When hunting treasures, I stick to simple rules. Historical significance trumps pure rarity – like when I grabbed a hybrid Domitian/Domitia error coin mainly because it offered such a tangible link to Roman politics. Cultivate relationships with trusted dealers too; some of my best finds (like an Antigonos Gonatas tetradrachm) came from hours spent sorting through their hoards. Watch the market: “museum quality” pieces like Caligula sestertii with Pietas reverses can surface at bargain prices if you’re patient. And document everything! My database once helped me spot undervalued Alexandrian coins by tracking references and variations.

Why I Collect Beyond the Rarity Chase

While I treasure my R5 Licinius I follis or unique Constantinopolis commemorative, what truly captivates me are the stories. My Augustus dupondius from Dionysopolis (only five known) isn’t just rare – it whispers tales of ancient rituals through its Dionysos reverse. Collecting’s real magic lives in the journey: whether admiring an ‘Eid Mar’ denarius for its historical weight or dreaming about mythical designs like the ‘Winged Dolphin Man’. At its core, numismatics isn’t about rarity scales – it’s about holding history in your palm and feeling that timeless spark of wonder.