A collection of rare Roman gold coins, spanning some of the most dramatic chapters of imperial history, is set to go under the hammer at a major Sydney auction next week, attracting collectors and investors from across Australia and beyond.
At the centre of the sale is a Caligula/Agrippina gold aureus, estimated at $100,000. Struck during the reign of the notoriously enigmatic Emperor Caligula (37–41 AD), this coin is exceptionally rare, depicting the emperor alongside his mother, Agrippina the Elder, a powerful figure in Roman politics whose life was marked by ambition and tragedy. The aureus is a window into the complex and often perilous world of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, reflecting the delicate balance of power, propaganda, and prestige in ancient Rome. Coins like this were more than currency—they were a tool of political messaging, carrying the image of the emperor across the vast Roman Empire and reinforcing his authority.
Also featured are two Julius Caesar gold aurei, each estimated at $15,000, a Galba aureus (est. $70,000), and an Otho aureus (est. $50,000). The Julius Caesar coins date from the final years of the Roman Republic, minted shortly before Caesar’s assassination in 44 BC, and are prized not only for their scarcity but for their direct connection to one of history’s most famous figures. Galba and Otho, both emperors during the turbulent “Year of the Four Emperors” in 69 AD, are represented by coins that capture the fleeting, violent, and politically unstable nature of their reigns.
The auction, Sale 140, runs from Monday 24 to Friday 28 November 2025 at the Michael Crouch Room, State Library, Macquarie Street, Sydney, with live online bidding available. Monday’s session will be an eSale only, while Tuesday to Friday will feature live bidding for collectors attending in person.
In total, the sale offers 1,221 lots of ancient coins, spanning Greek, Roman, and Byzantine issues, presenting an extraordinary opportunity for collectors to acquire pieces of classical history. The Roman coins, in particular, are expected to generate intense interest, given their rarity, historical significance, and the recent surge in gold prices.
Jim Noble, Managing Director of Noble Numismatics, commented: “These coins are not just valuable for their gold—they are fragments of history. Owning a coin like the Caligula/Agrippina aureus is like holding a tangible piece of the Roman Empire, connecting the modern collector with stories of ambition, power, and legacy that are nearly two millennia old.”
