$12,200 Galla Placidia Solidus Reveals Awakening Interest

From $1,000 to $1,694—Ancient Sicilian Tetradrachm

At Doyle's auction, a tetradrachm silver coin from Gela, Sicily, dating back to 450-440 BCE, achieved a sale price of $1,694, significantly surpassing its initial estimate of $1,000-$1,250. This coin features an obverse with a moving quadriga, driven by the goddess Nike. The reverse depicts a river god with a bull's head, emblematic of Sicily. Following this auction success, Christopher Bulfinch, a specialist at Doyle, expressed great satisfaction with the diverse assortment of results.

Roman Empire AV Solidus—$12,200 Top Lot

The Heritage Auctions held on August 16-17 saw impressive prices for Roman coins, with a Western Roman Empire AV Solidus from 430-445 CE fetching $12,200. The obverse of this coin portrays Galla Placidia, daughter of the Roman Emperor Theodosius I, who governed as regent from 425 to 437 CE. Graded NGC Choice AU 5/5–4/5, this coin fetched the highest price at the auction. The reverse features the goddess Victory holding a jeweled cross, accompanied by a star above.

The Renaissance of Ancient Coins at Auction

The trading of ancient coins at these auctions underscores the robustness of the collectors' market. According to Numismatic News, there has been a longstanding interest in these coins even before the release of the movie "Odyssey." The Sicilian tetradrachm, for example, was estimated at $1,000-$1,250 but sold for $1,694, indicating its high appeal. Similarly, the Galla Placidia solidus reached an astounding $12,200, reflecting its significant allure.

These prices reflect not only the historical context and aesthetic beauty but also the unique charm that ancient coins hold for collectors. There is growing anticipation about how ancient coins will continue to evolve in the future.