Byzantine Coins (300-1400 AD)

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What You Must Know to Collect the Byzantine Coins of 300-1400 AD

If you've ever dreamed of collecting ancient treasure, a collection of Byzantine coins may scratch that itch. They offer the combination of a concrete connection to ancient history and beautiful designs that can make them appealing to collectors with an interest in the past. Find inexpensive Byzantine coins for sale on eBay.

How to pick the right Byzantine coins for your collection

The Byzantine Empire survived for more than 1,000 years, and that gave them a lot of time to make coins. Every emperor released coins to celebrate their reign, commemorate major events, and simply for general use. You will need to narrow down your options before you can select affordable Byzantine coins for your collection. You may want to consider focusing on coins from a specific period that interests you or from a particularly fascinating emperor's reign. Alternatively, you could also focus on coins of a specific denomination, made from a specific material, or inscribed with a type of image, such as an emperor's portrait.

Which types of new and used Byzantine coins should you consider?

Byzantine coins come in a variety of styles. The good news is that there are a few types that are particularly common. Those are the coins that serve as a natural starting point for your collection.

  • Follis: The follis was one of the Byzantine bronze coins. The original coins had a small layer of silver on top, but that is not present on all of the surviving specimens.
  • Tremissis: The tremissis was one of several old Byzantine gold coins. It was a fairly small coin that saw widespread for many centuries.
  • Solidus: The solidus was a larger gold coin. It has significant historical value because it remained in use for centuries and inspired some other currencies.
How can you assess the condition of Byzantine currency?

All Byzantine currency is ancient. Some of them have experienced more wear and tear than others, but few of them are in flawless condition. That means that assessing their quality is an important step in determining if a coin has a place in your collection. You should look at the quality and clarity of the images and inscriptions on the coins to make sure they are legible. Some coins may also be missing pieces or have been bent out of shape. Many of the coins have been examined by professionals and received a quality certification. Those can be a good choice for people who would prefer to avoid doing an amateur assessment.

Content provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

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