Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
Are ancient coins a good investment? Where should beginners start? In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of ancient coin collecting, from Roman emperors to stunning Greek masterpieces.
Joining the podcast is ancient coin expert Ursula Kampmann, who shares practical advice for beginners, investment insights, and the historical importance behind some of the most famous ancient coins ever struck.
From coins of Nero to the artistic brilliance of Syracuse, and the legacy of the Byzantine Empire, this episode is your accessible introduction to 1,000+ years of monetary history.
Whether you're a U.S. coin collector curious about ancients, a history enthusiast, or considering ancient coins as an investment, this episode will help you understand how to approach the field wisely.
📚 Key takeaway: Buy the book before you buy the coin — and collect what you love.
đź’ˇ Topics Covered
Roman Republic vs Roman Empire coinage
Greek coin artistry and classical beauty
Celtic coins and their Picasso-like style
The Biblical “Render unto Caesar” coin
The Colosseum sestertius and demand-driven pricing
How grading differs in ancient coins (style, centering, portrait quality)
Why gold from the Byzantine world is more common than you think
How to safely enter the ancient coin market
⏱️ Timeline / Chapters
00:00 – Welcome Back & World Money Fair Berlin Recap
03:40 – Private vs State Mints: Innovation vs Tradition
08:15 – Do Modern Coins Hold Long-Term Value?
08:41 – Introduction to Ancient Coin Collecting
09:00 – The Four Main Categories of Ancient Coins
10:45 – Roman Coins Explained
11:14 – A Coin of Nero (AD 67) – History in Your Hand
13:00 – Why Some Ancient Coins Cost $50 and Others $50,000
16:40 – Greek Coins: The Most Beautiful Coins Ever Made
17:30 – The Art of Syracuse Silver Tetradrachms
20:10 – Celtic Coins & Their Modern Artistic Style
23:45 – Byzantine Coins & Christian Connections
24:00 – The Byzantine Empire and Gold Coinage
27:15 – Investment Advice: Start Small or Start Smart?
29:30 – Buy the Book Before the Coin
32:00 – The “Tribute Penny” & Biblical History
34:30 – The Colosseum Coin That Sold for $400,000
38:00 – Rarity vs Demand: What Really Drives Value
40:00 – Should You Collect by Emperor?
41:30 – Final Advice for Beginners
#coin #ancientcoins #gold #histoy #coincollecting #treasuresearch #penny #rarecoins #europe #collection
greysheet.com - retail & wholesale pricing guides and real time data for US and World Coins and Currency
whitman.com for educational books and coin and currency supplies
Are ancient coins a good investment? Where should beginners start? In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of ancient coin collecting, from Roman emperors to stunning Greek masterpieces.
Joining the podcast is ancient coin expert Ursula Kampmann, who shares practical advice for beginners, investment insights, and the historical importance behind some of the most famous ancient coins ever struck.
From coins of Nero to the artistic brilliance of Syracuse, and the legacy of the Byzantine Empire, this episode is your accessible introduction to 1,000+ years of monetary history.
Whether you're a U.S. coin collector curious about ancients, a history enthusiast, or considering ancient coins as an investment, this episode will help you understand how to approach the field wisely.
📚 Key takeaway: Buy the book before you buy the coin — and collect what you love.
đź’ˇ Topics Covered
Roman Republic vs Roman Empire coinage
Greek coin artistry and classical beauty
Celtic coins and their Picasso-like style
The Biblical “Render unto Caesar” coin
The Colosseum sestertius and demand-driven pricing
How grading differs in ancient coins (style, centering, portrait quality)
Why gold from the Byzantine world is more common than you think
How to safely enter the ancient coin market
⏱️ Timeline / Chapters
00:00 – Welcome Back & World Money Fair Berlin Recap
03:40 – Private vs State Mints: Innovation vs Tradition
08:15 – Do Modern Coins Hold Long-Term Value?
08:41 – Introduction to Ancient Coin Collecting
09:00 – The Four Main Categories of Ancient Coins
10:45 – Roman Coins Explained
11:14 – A Coin of Nero (AD 67) – History in Your Hand
13:00 – Why Some Ancient Coins Cost $50 and Others $50,000
16:40 – Greek Coins: The Most Beautiful Coins Ever Made
17:30 – The Art of Syracuse Silver Tetradrachms
20:10 – Celtic Coins & Their Modern Artistic Style
23:45 – Byzantine Coins & Christian Connections
24:00 – The Byzantine Empire and Gold Coinage
27:15 – Investment Advice: Start Small or Start Smart?
29:30 – Buy the Book Before the Coin
32:00 – The “Tribute Penny” & Biblical History
34:30 – The Colosseum Coin That Sold for $400,000
38:00 – Rarity vs Demand: What Really Drives Value
40:00 – Should You Collect by Emperor?
41:30 – Final Advice for Beginners
#coin #ancientcoins #gold #histoy #coincollecting #treasuresearch #penny #rarecoins #europe #collection
greysheet.com - retail & wholesale pricing guides and real time data for US and World Coins and Currency
whitman.com for educational books and coin and currency supplies
