Ancient Coins: The Aureus

it was typical of Gold coins in those eras to be around 7 ~ 8 grams of Gold. Why was this increased to around 1 troy ounce in the later centuries? Was this a devaluation of Gold? ie the need to increase the coin size & Gold content. Just curious

Never thought of them wearing down witb use; is it not also because people clipped around the edges of the coin; to essentially steal money; hence coins not being clipped past the outter ribbed inner circle; bc presumably it wouldnt be worth anything once clipped past that

The cuts on the coins are called "chop marks".

I’m looking to purchase an Augustan Aureus gold coin but I have no idea if the asking price is good or not.

Is there a price guide that covers Roman gold coins?

Gold coins from Rome in India was discovered in plenty in the southern region now the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The cuts you shown is definitely not done in the name of fear of power of rome rather as a quality check. This was also true for any other foreign power that has such solid coins with no proper indication of purity. Considering Rome's fall starting from 1st century i wouldn't be surprised this practice being wide spread throughout the east.

BTW such gold coins minted by local kingdom were found in the local region as early as 600 BCE in recent archaeological dig. So i couldn't call later mints as copy of Roman coins rather a evolution.

Seriously nice coins 👍🏼
I hope to own one someday

Fascinating. Great video!

A very fine and informative presentation. Thanks for posting and drawing us into the hobby!

I have roman gold coins

Excellent and ramarkable knolige.We learn a lot. Roman gold coins are extremely rare and they can be bought in places wisited the numismatics and investors with the higest bugget.

When I first started collecting Roman, you could buy, lower grade Roman gold for not much over it's gold value. This was back 60 years ago. I wonder if that is still the case?

good info thanks

I'd like a solidus of Majorian, or any coin of Majorian for that matter.

A gold and silver coin had and has value even if the “emperor” on the coin didn’t rule or require “good faith and credit” of the issuing country!

I finally got an Aureus of Faustina the elder. 😄

Could you tell me what spqr means written on paper please? I was just watching the film on the aureus has one on the back of the trajan coin as you know I just need to see it in writing I heard you four times when I do better when it's in writing thank you very much!

Habe gerade festgestellt, dass Ihr aus München kommt. Danke für diese interessante Videos!

The caduceus was a symbol of commerce? First time I hear that take on the symbol.

I find the Domitian coin to be very interesting. Since you say that the message from Vespasian by this coin is that his son, Domitian, would be a future Emperor. This defies what most historians have said about Vespasian investing all his efforts to prepare his son, Titus, to become Emperor, while mostly ignoring Domitian. According to the historians, Domitian, was left largely unprepared to become Emperor due to his father's neglect. Either the historians got it wrong or Vespasian thought Domitian was adequately prepared to assume his future role.

Wow, dream coins! Too expensive for me

Very fine gold coins.

I keep my savings in silver & gold 😉

Excellent video. Thank you

Would love to see the Aureus Nero and Agrippina filia from 54 AD

An ancient Roman would typically receive one aureus for one month of labor. It was the norm in Ancient Rome to take home 12-15 gold coins per year. One gold aureus has about $425 worth of gold content as of December 13th 2021. To put it in perspective the average American could buy 72 gold aureii in one year assuming that the median income for a worker in the United States is $31000. This puts into perspective just how wealthy the average modern person is in comparison to the average ancient person. In fact we are very far from our peak wealth. Ford assembly line workers would make 5 dollars a day back in 1914. A Ford assembly line worker earning 5 dollars a day in 1914 would be the equivalent of an Ancient Roman earning nearly 300 gold aureii in a single year.

how much does aureus weigh?

and how much percent of purity?

WE HUMANS WILL ALWAYS LOVE GOLD!.......EVEN WHEN IT IS NOT USED FOR MONEY WE STILL WANT IT!!

Amazing video. Terrific work.

Gorgeous coins and a wonderfully informative video! I can only dream of owning a coin of this calibur.

Great information..as usual...and one more this ...i can hear you perfect...thanks for getting e new microphone 👏👏👏😁😁

These coins are so amazing - and these flowlines! 😍

Another inspiring video - Thank You!!

The dream called Rome can only be called a dream if it is engraved in gold. Sweet ancient gold.

Would love to handle an aureus one day. Awesome video!