Big collections of ancient coins are sold through trusted channels. Heritage Auctions is bringing to market the Werner Collection of Ancient Roman and Byzantine Coins. More than 300 coins and 1600 years of history span the collection. Bidding is open now and ends on February 20 at 8PM CT. Collectors Dashboard has reviewed sales of ancient coins before and it’s important to understand that the high-end coins from this category are generally unique in condition. In sports collecting terms some of these examples are a true one-of-one collectible.

Collectors Dashboard evaluates high-end collectibles as an alternative asset class. This means collectibles are attracting the same capital that could have been invested into stocks or bonds. Many collectibles now cost thousands of dollars (or much more). Collectors with a passion to own a collectible for years frequently have to compete directly against investors whose only desire is to make a profit in the future.

The first coin we featured in this was a clear cut example that shows CAESAR written out very clearly. Julius Caesar, as Dictator (49-44 BC) AR denarius (19mm, 3.66 gm, 11h) NGC VF 4/5 – 2/5, brushed with a current bid of $1,550.00 after 24 bids. (Image below by Heritage Auctions). We wanted to see what similar coins have sold for and we found four Heritage Auctions sales of the same Caesar coin type in 2021. All were graded by NGC VF and sold for prices between $1,200.00 and $2,040.00. This is not the most expensive coin in the auction by any means, but the recognition has helped this rank among the highest page views of lots in the auction.

No estimates were provided by Heritage Auctions. Here are some of the other coins Collectors Dashboard profiled in the auction:

• Jotapian (ca. autumn AD 249) AR Antoninianus (22mm, 3.88 gm, 12h). NGC XF and the only example in XF condition graded by NGC. The current bid is $4,000.00 after 13 bids.
• Anthemius, Western Roman Empire (AD 467-472) AV solidus (21mm, 4.44 gm, 6h) NGC AU 3/5 – 3/5, light graffiti, bent, gold. The current bid is $2,800.00 after 20 bids. Two NGC AU graded examples sold in 2019, one CH AU on September 9, 2019 for $6,720.00 and one AU on September 9, 2019 for $3,120.00.
• Leo II and Zeno, Eastern Roman Empire (18 January-17 November AD 474) AV solidus (21mm, 4.45 gm, 6h). NGC Choice AU 4/5 – 4/5, die shift. The coin has a current bid of $2,800.00 after 19 bids. Ch AU condition for the coin has an NGC population of 3 and a different example from that population was sold by Heritage Auctions on August 20, 2021 for $15,000.00.
• Nepotian (3-30 June AD 350) AE2 or BI centenionalis (24mm, 4.95 gm, 11h) NGC Choice VF 4/5 – 2/5, smoothing with a current bid of $2,700.00 after 6 bids.
• Jovinus, Western Roman Empire (AD 411-413) AR siliqua (14mm, 1.33 gm, 6h) NGC XF 2/5 – 2/5, scratches with a current bid of $2,160.00 after 12 bids. Only 4 examples exist according to the NGC population.
• Alexander of Carthage, Usurper (AD 308-310) BI reduced follis or nummus (23mm, 5.36 gm, 6h) NGC VF 3/5- 1/5, damage with a current bid of $1,900.00 after 18 bids.
• Theodosius I, Eastern Roman Empire (AD 379-395) AV solidus (20mm, 4.44 gm, 6h) NGC MS 5/5 – 3/5 with a current bid of $1,750.00 after 18 bids.
• Valentinian III, Western Roman Empire (AD 425-455) AV solidus (21mm, 4.48 gm, 7h) NGC MS 5/5 – 4/5 with a current bid of $1,950.00 after 17 bids.
• Gordian I Africanus (March-April AD 238) AE sestertius (30mm, 22.20 gm, 12h) NGC VG 4/5 – 3/5 with a current bid of $1,450.00 after 15 bids.

There is something for every level of coin collector in this auction. For trophy hunters how cool is a coin with Caesar as a dictator with his name spelled out on the reverse? Coins associated with tragedy and history have a broader appeal than moments lost to time. Collectors Dashboard featured the sale of the Ides of March coin and owning any piece from that moment in time is becoming challenging each year.