12 Caesars in silver in late 2025?

Just signed up, but have read these fora for a long time. Thanks for everyone's posts - this area is absolutely fascinating...!

For background - I'm very novice, but very lucky to have collected some great coins along the way (all vetted through those who very much do know what they're doing). I've read as much as I can about how to tell if a coin is authentic, and am starting (I think) to get a general sense; however, would certainly not trust myself). I'm generally trying to obtain coins that are not slabbed since I think (?) that they tend to be a bit cheaper.

And I'll also apologize for the topic as I know that this probably one of the most common topics a beginner like me asks.

I'm trying to obtain one in silver now and trying to get a sense of how much one would cost in this day and age. I've seen past posts including from 2016 I think where the same question was asked, and the estimate was about ?$8k I believe. I have searched and tried to source, but hoping to avoid auctions altogether. Since this is my first post, I can't post it in the 'Want' thread yet, but will when I can.

I have a healthy budget for it (I was looking at HJB's 12 Caesars that just sold, but missed the boat) - I'm more concerned that it's a decent deal than the price.

For quality, I was hoping for VF or above.


Thanks!

 

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There are a lot of other factors besides grade that go into pricing ancients. But for a solid, decent denarius set in VF with no glaring issues, purchased retail, I'd say, if you are patient enough to wait for good deals as they appear, you can expect to pay the following -

Julius Caesar: $2,500
Augustus: $500
Tiberius: $500
Caligula: $3,000
Claudius: $2,000
Nero: $600
Galba: $700
Otho: $1,000
Vitellius: $500
Vespasian: $250
Titus: $300
Domitian: $200

Comes to about $12k.

 

It's been my experience that the prices listed in the previous post are too low. Of course, I collect pieces that grade at least VF, so that might be why I think those numbers are low.

I have a Julius Caesar portrait piece which was issued 11 months after his death. I have bid as much as $11,000 (plus a 20% buyers fee) on a life time portait piece and did not get it. The Julius Caesar elephant denarius is by far the most common piece that was issued during his life time. Nice examples of those seem to go for $2,000 to $2,500.



Caligula silver pieces are very tough. I have passed on them in $5,000 to $6,000 range because I didn't like the color. They had been cleaned, as most ancient coins are, but they just didn't look right to me. I have the typical AS with rough surfaces and have not gotten anything that was any better.

Here is my set of the 12 caesars. Most of they are all denarii except for Caligula and Claudius which is a Cistophoric Tetradrahm.


As to my expertise, I am a very experienced collector of U.S. coins and an "well advanced novice" in Roman imperial coins.

 

I paid much less, but, then again, I've been collecting for 45 years. Here is my set (not near as nice as thos posted from @johnmilton

 

When people talk about collecting "The Twelve Caesars", I wonder if they have read the book by Suetonius.

Why buy someone else's collection? A big part of collecting is the actual collecting--the hunt is the best part...buying an already assembled set seems empty

 

I bought a new copy years ago. It is now well worn.

 

I completed my twelve Caesars early this year. It is quite humble and not entirely silver. I do not have 8k invested in this set. The journey is quite fun actually. I am a very competent US coin guy and a woefully incompetent ancients guy. Lean on the forum before you lay out your cash. The folks here will not steer you wrong.

 

Mine is mixed, and contains an execrable Claudius aureus. I'd probably include the nice NGC VF Claudius as if I were to do pictures.

I'm not nearly as ashamed as the aureus as I am of my eyeless Trajan Decius double sestertius, but it's only a mushy VG, ex jewelry, purchased when gold was dirt cheap.

 

Johnmilton's post reminds me that Claudius is one of those Caesars whom it would be cheaper to buy something like a cistophorus.

They're not too common, but isn't there provincial silver of Caligula? I think there are some Anatolian issues.

The cheapest way to get an Otho would be an Antiochene tetradrachm.

 

Thanks, this is very helpful...I haven't been able to find a recent Caligula for that price recently though. I was hoping to avoid auctions to avoid the auction fee and buy them directly from collectors. I don't know nearly enough to be able to identify authentic from fake; however, have someone who does that can help me. My plan was to post in the 'Wanted' thread when I have enough posts to do so.

In terms of other factors affecting price - I'd love to be able to get a set of 12 with portraits. I've heard that JC is very difficult to obtain with a portrait though...

 

Very nice set!

I've heard that the JC portraits were quite difficult to find and expensive so that solidifies that lol.

I'm also part of some metal detecting fora (I don't metal detect, but love seeing others' finds) and every now and then someone posts that they found a Caligula (including this weekend actually) but figured that'd be pretty risky to make a direct offer on facebook hah

 

Beautiful set!

I've seen some of the auction prices from even 20 year ago, and it's amazing how much things have appreciated...

I also collect cards, fossils, meteorites, art, etc. In early 2020, a psa Jordan rookie would have an estimated value on HA of USD $20k. Within a year, the estimated values had shot up to USD $700k!

Similarly for other cards, other things like fossil T rex teeth, etc.

Well if you ever plan to sell your high end coins, let me know lol

 

I know of the book, but haven't yet tbh. I haven't had time to read a book for interest or fun for ?25+ years. I do read a lot; however, it's for work or business.

 

Very nice set!

I'm not competent for any time of coin collecting unfortunately but am hoping very much to lean on the experience of others including here. I've been lucky to have had very competent help so far for higher end coins - gold in particular.

Actually I have to go to Chicago in a couple of weeks for a conference, so am very much looking forward to dropping by HJB coins.

 

I don't mind the ex jewelry pieces to be honest...I find that adds to the story (assuming that they weren't added in the last couple of years ago that is).
I've been to the Met before, but prior to having an interest in coins...so didn't see the bracelet of the 12 aurei. But that for me would actually add value!

As an aside, execrable is a great word that very few people use...I always get a kick out of seeing in conversation!

 

Interesting...I had to look up those denominations.

I've read that provincial coins are less interesting often to collectors but don't understand why?