Unearthing Rare Coins: A Collector’s Personal Journey

I’ve been collecting rare coins for years, and I’ve been lucky enough to find some real treasures. For me, it’s not just about how rare a coin is. It’s the stories behind them, the history they carry, and the excitement of the hunt. Today, I want to share a few of my favorite finds and some thoughts on what I’ve learned about collecting rare coins.

My Most Memorable Rare Finds

One coin that still gives me chills is an Etruscan AE26 from Central Italy, dating back to 300-250 BC. It shows a male figure holding a scepter and a dog with an aryballos, all under a beautiful dark green patina. This coin is incredibly rare, and you’ll find it mentioned in references like SNG Cop. 44 and Visonà’s work. The Etruscans were key in shaping Roman culture, bringing in Greek gods, olives, and even the arch. Holding this coin felt like holding a piece of that history. I sold it eventually, but it’s still one of the highlights of my collecting journey.

Another standout is a Seleucid tetradrachm of Antiochos Hierax from Alexandreia Troas, circa 242-227 BC. I got it from Harlan J. Berk – it came from an unpublished hoard covering Alexander to Antiochos III. The coin features a rejuvenated head of Antiochos I on one side and Apollo Delphios on the other. It’s a rare gVF specimen with bright surfaces that really catch the light. What made it special was sorting through hundreds of coins to find this one and an Antigonos Gonatas tetradrachm. Moments like that remind me why patience and good connections matter in this hobby.

Roman collectors might appreciate the Constantine I follis from Siscia (AD 319) I once held. It has that VICT LAETAE PRINC PERP reverse, and I’ve heard only three others exist. Then there’s my Licinius I follis from Antioch – rated R5 in RIC with Jupiter Conservator. Both are incredibly scarce pieces that I feel privileged to have owned.

Navigating Rarity in Numismatics

Figuring out what’s truly rare can be tricky. Take my Klazomenai diobol from Ionia (499-494 BC) – it shows a winged boar facing left, an unpublished variety that’s much rarer than the common right-facing ones. But confirming that meant digging through archives, books, and sites like Wildwinds or ACsearch. Here’s what I’ve picked up along the way:

• Always check references like RIC or SNG, but take rarity ratings with a grain of salt. Some ‘R5’ coins turn up more often than you’d think.
• New hoards can change everything overnight – remember the Seville find? That’s why I never buy just for rarity.
• Minor variations matter. That winged boar on my Klazomenai? Or a unique reverse on a Julia Domna coin? They can make common types suddenly rare. I keep my own database to track these little differences.

My Carthaginian AE 15-shekel with Tanit and a horse raising its foreleg is another example – Alexandropoulos and Müller list it as very rare, with only a few known. Sites like Magnagraecia.nl help confirm details, but we collectors should share sightings more often. It helps us all.

Practical Tips for Collecting Rare Coins

After years of hunting, here’s what I’d tell fellow collectors: First, buy what speaks to you. I didn’t get my Caligula sestertius because it’s rare (though a museum-quality one sold for $260k+ once). I loved its Pietas and altar design. Mine came at a fraction of that price in ‘budget’ grade – proof that great finds happen if you’re persistent.

• Cultivate relationships with dealers you trust. That Antiochos Hierax? I found it while sorting through a hoard with Phil Davis.
• Pay attention to condition. My Postumus antoninianus or Augustus dupondius are worth more in higher grades, but even gVF coins shine when they’re genuinely rare.
• Keep an eye out for unpublished or hybrid coins. I have a Domitian-Domitia hybrid that only 2-3 are known to exist – it even made it onto Wikipedia! That kind of discovery makes collecting thrilling.

Market-wise, I’ve seen ‘scarce’ coins become rare in top grades. But chasing rarity alone? That’s a trap. Better to find pieces with stories, like my Constantinopolis commemorative with its double border anomaly – a small quirk that adds personality to Roman history.

Why Rarity Isn’t the Whole Story

Over time, I’ve learned rarity shouldn’t be your main focus. Take the Eid Mar denarius – I’d love one not because it’s rare, but for what it represents: the assassination of Caesar. Even if thousands existed, I’d still want it. Same with my white whale, the ‘Winged Dolphin Man’ – it’s the dream of the hunt that matters.

In the end, I don’t rank my coins by rarity. That Dombes gold pistole from 1579 (first known of its type) or my Gallienus provincial from Perge? They connect me to ancient worlds. That’s what keeps me collecting – the passion and surprise discoveries. Stay curious, enjoy the journey, and remember: sometimes the best finds happen when you’re not looking for them.