The Most Expensive: Sestertii
Worthless Bronze? Far from it! Roman sestertii in good condition can achieve staggering results. For many years a sestertius even held the record of the arguably most expensive Roman coin ever sold in a public auction! We present the ten most expensive sestertii sold in auctions.
01Nerva, AD 98. With the Portrait of Augustus. Extremely Fine. From auction Numismatica Genevensis SA 6 (2010), 154.
02Titus, 80-81 AD., Thrace. “Of the highest rarity, by far the finest specimen known of less than five specimens known.“ Extremely fine. From auction Numismatica Ars Classica 59 (2011), 956.
03Galba, AD 69, Rome or Gaul. Extremely fine. From auction Numismatica Genevensis SA 5 (2008), 217.
04Vespanisan, AD 71, Rome. Impressive Good Extremely Fine. From auction Heritage 3003 (2012), 20523.
05Caligula, 39-40 AD. “Undoubtedly the finest specimen known of this spectacular coin.” Extremely fine. From auction Numismatica Genevensis SA 7 (2012), 335.
06Caligula, circa 37-38 AD. “Very rare, undoubtedly the finest specimen known.” FDC. From auction Numismatica Ars Classica 51 (2009), 179.
07Divus Titus, 81-82 AD, Rome. Very fine and extremely rare. From auction Dix Nooan Webb 139 (2017), 50.
08Caligula, 37-38 AD, Rome. “Extremely rare and undoubtedly the finest specimen known of this issue and one of the best sestertii in existance.” From the JDL-Collection. Good extremely fine. From auction Numismatica Ars Classica 79 (2014), 24.
09Galba, 68-69 AD, Rome. “Without doubt one of the most beautiful bronzes known in the world.” Perfect condition. From auction Numismatica Genevensis SA 6 (2010), 158.
10Hadrian, 135-136 AD, Rome. Probably the work of Antoninianos of Aphrodisias / Maître de l’Alphée. “The most beautiful Roman coin ever minted.“ Perfect condition. From auction Numismatica Genevensis SA 5 (2008), 233.
