Short answer: the best ancient coins to start with under £100 are late Roman bronzes, Abbasid and Umayyad silver dirhams, Byzantine bronze folles, Greek bronzes and Sasanian silver drachms. They are real coins that are 1,000 to 2,500 years old. In our own auctions, the typical Abbasid dirham sold for £35.
Why £100 is enough to start
Most people think ancient coins cost thousands. Some do. But most of the ancient world made coins in huge numbers, and many survive.
That is good news for a new collector. A coin does not need to be rare to be worth owning. You can hold something struck when Rome, Baghdad or Constantinople ruled the world.
Our own auction ledger shows how this works. Across two Pashiz E-Auctions on NumisBids, 210 lots sold. The median price was £44, and 55% of lots sold for under £50. Only 9% of lots reached £250 or more.
So the cheaper end is not a leftover. It is where most of the buying happens.
Six ancient coins to start with
Late Roman bronze (AE3 and AE4)
This is the classic first coin. Emperors such as Constantine the Great and his sons struck them in vast numbers. Each one carries a portrait, a name and a reverse design.
Condition varies a lot. Choose a coin with a clear face and legible lettering. A clear coin at a modest price beats a rare coin you cannot read.
Abbasid silver dirham
These are silver coins from the caliphate that ruled from Baghdad. They carry no portrait. Instead, you get Arabic script, often with the mint and the date.
In our two E-Auctions, 89 Abbasid dirhams sold. The median was £35, and the range ran from £15 to £250. That makes them one of the cheapest ways to own an ancient silver coin.
Umayyad silver dirham
The Umayyads came before the Abbasids. Their dirhams are older and often more scarce. In our E-Auctions, 12 sold with a median of £36.
They are a good "second coin" once you have an Abbasid. You can compare the two styles side by side.
Seen one you like? Our stock changes often.
See what is in stock now →Byzantine bronze follis
The follis is a large, chunky bronze coin. Many show a bold "M", which stands for 40 nummi. Others show a Christ figure or an emperor.
They often have uneven strikes. That is normal. The size and the history make up for it.
Greek bronze
Small Greek bronzes from city-states and kingdoms are a great way into Greek art. Look for a head of a god or hero on one side and an animal or symbol on the other.
Coins of the Ptolemies of Egypt and of Greek cities in Sicily are popular starting points.
Sasanian silver drachm
These are thin silver coins from the Persian empire that rivalled Rome. Each shows a king in a large crown on the front and a fire altar on the back.
Plain, common kings are within reach. The great names, such as Shapur II, usually cost more for better examples.
Quick comparison
| Coin | Metal | Best for | Watch out for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Late Roman bronze | Bronze | A first Roman emperor | Worn faces, rough surfaces | Browse |
| Abbasid dirham | Silver | Cheap ancient silver | Weak strikes, cut edges | Browse |
| Umayyad dirham | Silver | Early Islamic history | Clipped edges | Browse |
| Byzantine follis | Bronze | Big, bold coins | Heavy wear, off-centre strikes | Browse |
| Greek bronze | Bronze | Greek art on a budget | Corrosion, unclear designs | Browse |
| Sasanian drachm | Silver | Persian history | Thin, cracked flans | Browse |
Prices vary with condition and date. Only the Abbasid and Umayyad figures above come from our own sales. For the others, check current listings before you decide.
What to check before you buy
- Can you see the design? Pick a clear coin over a rare, worn one. Every coin in our shop is photographed on both sides.
- Is the surface natural? Avoid shiny, scrubbed or oddly bright coins.
- Is there a return policy? A good dealer will let you send a coin back.
- Does the dealer say what it is? Ruler, date, mint and metal should all be listed.
- Are the photos real? You should see both sides of the actual coin.
Do not clean your coin once it arrives. Cleaning removes the patina and lowers its value. We explain why in our guide to the 7 mistakes that get coins downgraded.
What to avoid as a beginner
Be careful with these.
Very cheap "lots" of mixed coins are often worn and unidentified. Prices that look too good for rare silver or gold are a warning sign. Coins sold with no return policy are a risk too.
If a seller cannot tell you what the coin is, walk away. A reliable dealer will always say. All our coins come with a full description.
Questions people ask
Are cheap ancient coins real?
Yes, from a trusted dealer. Look for a clear description and a return policy. Fakes exist, so buy from someone who stands behind what they sell.
Should I get my first coin graded?
Usually not. The grading fee can cost more than the coin. We looked at this with real auction data in our article on graded vs ungraded coins.
Which is the best first coin?
For most people, a clear late Roman bronze or an Abbasid dirham. Both are affordable, and both have plenty of history behind them.
Can I buy at auction as a beginner?
Yes. Auctions are where most of our sales happen. Set a limit, include the buyer's premium in your sums, and bid only on coins you can see clearly.
Ready to choose your first coin?
Browse our current stock by type, or message us and tell us your budget. We will point you to a good one.
Roman and ByzantineIslamic coinsGreek coins WhatsApp usSources: Pashiz Coins E-Auction 6 and 7 results on NumisBids (620 lots, 210 sold). Pashiz Numismatics Ltd, Unit B11 Alfies Antique Market, 13-25 Church St, London NW8 8DT.