ARGENTUM

INSPIRATION

Metal of Luna

The use of Silver goes back as far as the use of Gold and during history, the metal of the moon was sometimes even more expensive than Gold. By the time of the Greek and Romans, Silver coins were a staple of the economy, reaching a peak production of 200 tons per year. Discover our dealer’s Greek and Roman Silver coin inventory.

AUREUS

Golden Roman Empire

Known as the typical Gold coin of the Imperium Romanum, the aureus generally portrays the rulers on the obverse and shows gods, personifications or blessings and promises of the regime on the back. They were in use as a gift on special occasions, as payments to soldiers of outstandig merit or payments for long-distance trade.

BRONZE

INSPIRATION

First alloy of valuables

Bronze is considered to be one of the first alloys made and used by men. Its qualities allow the working out of finest details. Bronze work has always involved trade and it’s not surprising that in many parts of the world bronze artifacts were used for centuries. Discover here a selection of nice Bronze coins.

CELTIC COINS

Unconventional & mysterious

Celtic coins are some of the most beautiful and mysterious coins from ancient times. Probably as a convenient way of storing wealth and buying influence, Celtic tribes imitated Greek and Roman coins in a very distinct way. Discover our dealer’s Celtic coin inventory.

SESTERCES

INSPIRATION

Masterpieces in Bronze

In Rome records of expenses and values were given in sesterces. It therefore was probably the most used coin of the Roman period. Today, large bronze sesterces, struck in Rome and Lugdunum, fascinate collectors by their beautiful portraits and elegant reverses.

SICILY

Greek colonies

Largest island in the Medi-terranean Sea, Sicily was an important place for Medi-terranean trade. Greek settlers arrived in the 8th century BC and brought with them their civilization which left a lasting imprint on the Romans who conquered the island around 276 BC. Enjoy the Greek culture that still echoes today on Sicilian coins.

TETRADRACHM

INSPIRATION

Silver pieces of art

Adorned with images of gods like Heracles or Athena, the silver Tetradrachm were spread all over the ancient world. Known for consistency in good metal, Tetra-drachms were favourite payment for soldiers and mercenaries and the most popular unit of exchange. Throughout time, the hand-made silver beauties never lost their attraction.

EQUUS

Galloping through history

Without the horse we wouldn’t be where we are today. Explore the powerful and beautiful animal minted in gold and silver by our ancestors already hundreds of years ago.

HADRIAN

INSPIRATION

Restitutor orbis terrarum

Hadrian (117-138 AD) ruled as 14th Roman Emperor for 21 years. He is considered one of the 'five good emperors' and is known for stability and military success. He believed, the Empire should be strengthened rather than expanded and therefore built fortified defenses along the borders. The most famous being Hadrian's wall in North of England.

ATHENAION

Laurion Silver Owl

Athens flourished thanks to the nearby rich silver mines of Laurion. The Athenians created a unique currency, the drachm. Athena’s owl, symbol of knowledge and wisdom, guaranteed the fineness of the coin. The design remained unchanged for almost 400 years and is still much beloved today.

LUCANIA

INSPIRATION

Part of Magna Graecia

On the coast of southern Italy, famous Greek colonies were founded between 750 and 550 BC. Called ἀποικία APOIKIA “home away from home”, those colonies were well organised and evolved into strong city-states with their remarkable and iconic sets of coins: Metapontum with the barley ear, Heraclea with Heracles fighting, Thurium with the butting bull or Velia with the hungry Lion devouring prey.

LYDIA & MYSIA

First minted coins

The origin of our monetary system is the kingdom of Lydia, once situated on the territory of today's Turkey. Around 550 BC the first minted coins, guaranteed in their weight and value by a government, were struck in the city of Sardis. Soon the idea of the system spread all over the ancient world.

DIOSCURI

INSPIRATION

Castor & Pollux

The Dioscuri were worshipped by the Greeks and Romans alike. The Romans believed that the twins aided them on the battlefield and brought news of the victory back to Rome. As horsemen, they were patron saints of the Roman Equites and cavalry. Each year on July 15, Feast Day of the Dioscuri, 1'800 equestrians would parade through the streets of Rome in an elaborate spectacle.

ANCIENT COINS

It's all about provenance

Browse through our selection of provenanced coins and make your collection the next line in the pedigree of your new purchase.

BRACTEATES

INSPIRATION

German Medieval Coinage

In the Early Middle Ages, the one-sided, thin silver pfennigs or Bracteates (from Latin bractea, 'leaf') were a local currency in German-speaking areas. Despite a weight of less than 1 g. they are of outstanding quality and belong to the most curious and interesting types of coins among the pennies of the German Middle ages.

TARENTUM

Sparta's sole colony

Ruling over the Greek colonies in southern Italy, Tarentum was founded by immigrants hailing from Sparta and soon became a sovereign city of Magna Graecia. The depiction of Taras, son of the famous Greek sea god Poseidon who has been saved from a shipwreck by a Dolphin is often found on its coinage. Taras riding a Dolphin remains the iconic symbol of the city.

S.P.Q.R.

INSPIRATION

Res Publica Romana

Prior to the Roman Empire there was the time of the Roman Republic. Not less than 370 names of men, hungry for reputation and prestige, can be listed during the moving period when Rome's control expanded from the city's surroundings to hegemony over the entire Mediterranean world.

ROMAN SERRATI

Proof of good Silver

Collectors love the distinctive look of the Roman serrated Denarii. Derived from the Latin word "serratus", the saw-edge was used to prove good silver content. Struck over a period of approx. 65 years (ca. 118-53 BC) the serrated Denarii testify the Roman ingenuity and are seen today as especially charming.

SOLIDUS

INSPIRATION

The Reliable

The golden Solidus became the currency of the Eastern Roman Empire and was a very popular trade coin in the Christian West. Thanks to the Solidis' popularity, Byzantium flourished for 800 years.

GERMAN COINAGE

Prior to unification in 1871

The rich variety of German States coinage reflects the territorially fragmented situation of Germany since the Middle Ages until the German-French war in 1870/1871. There are numerous duchies and counties, bishoprics, monasteries as well as free imperial cities that struck their own coins, a real challenge for trade and travel. But thanks to it, we nowadays are given an incredibly rich collection area to explore.

MIDDLE AGES

INSPIRATION

Early Medieval Coins

After the collapse of the centralized Roman authority, new kingdoms were formed in Western Europe. Eventful centuries followed and pagan Europe slowly Christianized. The Anglo-Saxons established the Kingdom of England and the Franks the Carolingian Empire. But soon external invaders showed up: Vikings from the north, Magyars from the east and Saracens from the south. Browse some coins of those moving times here.

LOUIS d'OR

French King's pride

Based on the Spanish Gold Pistol, King Louis XIII launched the Louis d’Or in 1640. Until the French Revolution it was the most important gold coin in Western and Central Europe. It even inspired numerous coinages of other European cities and states.

WORLD COINS

INSPIRATION

In gold we trust

In these uncertain times, why not go back to the fundamentals? Browse our selection of gold coins of the world.

SELEUCID KINGDOM

From the Aegean Sea to Pakistan

After Alexander the Great's death, one of his successors, Seleucus I Nicator, established a dynasty that ruled for over two centuries over a melting pot of various peoples. At its height, the Seleucid Kingdom span from the Aegean Sea to what is now Afghanistan and Pakistan.

THE CROSS

INSPIRATION

Symbol in all shapes

Paradoxically a symbol of suffering and defeat but also of triumph and salvation, the cross is an universal and timeless symbol. Discover the rich varieties of crosses on coins.

AURUM

Divine metal

Seen as medium of immortality, gold always motivated armies to conquer and navigators to explore and expand the limits of the known world. Ancient empires were built on gold and cultures flourished thanks to its timeless value.

CITY VIEWS

INSPIRATION

Proud perspectives

Have a look at the skylines of some famous cities. Like faces, they tend to change with time. These skylines and iconic buildings struck on coins preserve and praise the spirit, collective achievements and aspirations of their proud citizens.

HERALDIC ART

Timeless language

Born from a desire to represent identity and origin, the coat of arms developed during the High Middle Ages into the visual mark of a family, a state, a city or even an individual person. Heraldic art is profound and of great importance in numismatics and can be found on numerous old but also modern coins.

BRAVE BEARD

INSPIRATION

Historic hipsters

Attractive - male - brave - strong - cool. In some European countries, sporting a beard or moustache is very popular again today. But look at these bearded faces speaking to us from the past. If they still could talk, what would they tell us?

LION KING

feared and loved beast

Associated traditionally with courage, nobility, royalty and strength, this animal is also in use as attribute, honourable symbol or personification of the highest gods and rulers. Throughout time the Lion has never lost its fascination and attraction.

AMAZONS & Co.

INSPIRATION

Legendary, brave and powerful

In ancient times, numerous gods, godesses, amazons, nymphs and nature spirits populated the world of faith and stories of invincible heroes were told for centuries. Many coins were struck with their vivid depictions and can be enjoyed by collectors today.

SEA CREATURES

Neptune's World

Neptune, god of the sea, storms, earthquakes, and horses. His world of water surrounds and holds the earth and is filled with mystical sea creatures. Some of them even found their way on coins.

MEDALLIC ART

INSPIRATION

Masterpieces in details

Artistic medals have been skillfully produced since the Renaissance from 1520 onwards. Medal artists were highly respected and often given official state titles. Who wonders?

JUDAEA

Ancient Jewish Coins

Browse coins dating back to the 2nd century BC until 2nd century AD minted by the Jewish people. Large quantities of coins were issued in silver, bronze and copper, some being overstruck over Roman coins. They tell about revolts and wars but also about redemption and freedom.

TOKEN

INSPIRATION

Citizens full of ideas

Great Britain and Ireland in the 18th Century. Due to the little effort by the government to ameliorate the shortage of official small denomination coins for everyday transactions, inventive merchants privately minted 'provincial tokens' to pay their workers and their bills. This period created one of the most various coinage type we still may enjoy today.