Unveiling the Middle Ages: My Coin Collecting Adventure

I recently set out on a thrilling medieval coin hunt, turning centuries of history into a personal collecting challenge. Starting at 500 CE and jumping forward in 100-year leaps, I uncovered a treasure chest of coins and commemoratives from fallen empires. What made it special? The rush of discovering unfamiliar pieces and jotting down quick notes – pure joy for any coin lover like us.

Game Mechanics and Setup

My adventure focused on coins from 500 CE to 1500 CE, spending time with each century’s offerings. Gold solidi, silver drachms – nothing was off limits! I paired each find with simple descriptions and images to help with identification. This approach kept things lively while revealing how coin designs shifted across cultures and eras.

Notable Coins and Empires Explored

Along the way, some real showstoppers emerged that captured the period’s artistry. Here are a few that made me catch my breath:

• Byzantine Empire: A gold tremissis of Justinian I (527-565 AD) from Constantinople caught my eye. The obverse showed “D N IUSTI ANUS PP AV,” while the reverse featured “ANNO X yI II” from Kyzicus mint’s officina B. Then there was Justin II’s solidus (565-578 AD) – relatively common, but finding one in fully struck FDC condition? Nearly impossible! A sharp reminder that condition trumps all in grading.
• Sasanian Empire: Khusru II’s silver drachm (ca. 591-628 AD) still showed crisp details despite its age. Dating these is tricky when rulers’ reigns span centuries – this piece sat right on the 500s-600s cusp.
• Ostrogoth Kingdom: An AV solidus struck in Rome (512-517 AD) in Anastasius I’s name but featuring Theodorich I was fascinating. Another Justinian I solidus (527-530 AD) revealed how father-son dynamics played out on coins – history written in metal.
• Huna Empire: An AV dinara from Sind (545-575 AD) mimicked Sasanian styles perfectly. Seeing how designs traveled across regions reminded me how connected ancient economies really were.

Each coin whispered stories, like Maurice Tiberius’ consular issues (582-602 AD) or Theodosius III’s rare solidi – their scarcity tied to dark events like Maurice’s forced witness of his son’s execution before his own beheading.

Handling Undated Coins and Reigns

Working with undated coins taught me plenty. For pieces like Khusru II’s drachm or Justinian’s early solidi, I leaned hard on mint marks and reign periods. My go-to trick? Cross-reference historical timelines and hunt for officina marks – those tiny workshop stamps can pin down dates surprisingly well. Getting this right doesn’t just satisfy curiosity; it often adds real value to a coin.

Collecting Insights and Practical Tips

This journey gave me fresh perspective for our hobby:

• Condition rules: Justin II solidi might be plentiful, but high-grade FDC examples? Rare as hen’s teeth. Always check for full strikes and minimal wear.
• Rarity drives desire: Short-reign coins like Theodosius III’s become instant grails – and smart investments.
• Byzantine gold holds strong: Their precious metal content and historical pull make them collection cornerstones.
• Grading tip: Break out the loupe! Scrutinize lettering and portraits – tiny flaws can mean big price differences.

Historical Context and Its Importance

Learning the backstories transformed these coins from metal to memories. Take Phocas forcing Maurice Tiberius to watch his son die – suddenly those coins feel heavier in your hand. This context isn’t just fascinating; it helps spot fakes too. Authentic pieces often bear subtle marks of their turbulent times. New collectors: marry your coins with their history. It makes every find richer.

This medieval coin quest was an absolute delight – equal parts education and excitement. It cemented how numismatics bridges centuries, and I’m itching to explore more periods. If ancient coins or precious metals call to you, try this century-hopping approach. Your next prize might be waiting!