On average, how long were ancient coins in circulation?

I agree, room for all types of collectors, a home for every coin.

Myself, I agree with @Sallent as well. My interest in coins is not really the little piece of metal, but the history. Having a circulated ancient coin is my way to connect to ancient people who once used it daily. A perfect coin has none of that history to me, and therefor more boring to me, but that is just my opinion.

 

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@Sallent and @medoraman reflect my personal collecting strategy. Coinage / MONEY was INTENDED to be circulated and used by the populace for trade and commerce. That is why I enjoy circulated coinage for those coins that touch junctures in Human History.

 

Me too, except I'll add that a little wear generally makes the coin a wee bit more affordable.

 

I'm with the others above me, as nice as perfect coins are & I can appreciate them, I tend to like coins with wear. I always found myself attracted more to worn coins then perfect, even when I got into collecting as a kid.

Many worn coins can be much more attractive then perfect.

 

As far as US coinage, you won't see dimes or quarters from before 1965 due to the silver content, but I occasionally come across pennies from the 1920s - 1940s, and pennies from the 50s and 60s almost weekly. Even nickels from the 40s and 50s are not incredibly difficult to find with a little patience. So while not common, it is not too rare to find coins still circulating from 60-70 years prior.

In the ancient world I can see coins lasting longer. Less people equal less hands to handle these coins and wear them down. The ancients also carried their coins in pouches vs. modern people who carry coins in pockets with keys, cigarette lighters, phones, and other objects that constantly wear against these coins. Also, ancients probably had less things to spend money on than we do...I doubt they shopped as frequently as we do. And finally, there was no government incentive to remove old or worn coinage from circulation. Here in the US the government removes coinage that has reached a certain level of wear from circulation whenever the fed banks come across them. They have machines that do that work, so substantially worn/damaged coins don't stay in circulation too terribly long.

 

I remember reading about one papyrus contract from I think the later third century AD where it specified that it was to be payed in "good silver," which would have to be older coinage before whatever level of debasement they decided was unacceptable. It makes me think that it might be more useful to talk about levels of circulation rather than treating it as a binary thing.

 

Check this one out:

http://otagocoin.co.nz/coins/ancient-rome/?nggpage=5



41 - 54 AD, Emperor Claudius
silver cistophorus ~ a restricted issue
Temple of Diana at Ephesus DIAN - EPHE
Claudian silver is rare, Claudian cistophori exceed that
width: 25mm ~ stock: 6587
NZ$2500.00

 

Nice coin and not a bad price for it either. You buying?

 

Not a chance. A lot more than I could afford and not on my priority list. If I had that sort of money spare for a coin, it would be for an Athenian Owl.