In this episode, we explore the intricate details that transform a simple piece of metal into a historical artifact. We move beyond the basic "heads and tails" to uncover the "third side" of a coin and the specialized terminology that every collector needs to master. From the microscopic details visible through a jeweler’s loupe to the high-pressure science of the minting press, we break down exactly what you are holding in the palm of your hand.

Inherited a coin collection? Step one is doing nothing. We cover the cleaning mistake that vaporizes value, the four-pile kitchen-table triage anyone can do in an afternoon, how dealer offers actually work (and the red flags of a bad one), consignment vs. auction vs. outright sale, and the estate paperwork — stepped-up basis, appraisals before dividing — that families learn too late.

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Fakes of ancient coins are older than the fall of Rome — some counterfeits are 2,000 years old themselves. We walk the history from silver-plated fourrées to the modern Bulgarian school, break down how cast and transfer-die fakes are caught, and give you the three-question screen that filters out almost every bad deal. Plus: what certification actually verifies, and the guarantee language that separates real dealers from marketplaces.

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The "Twelve Caesars"—spanning Julius Caesar through Domitian—remains the single most iconic and sought-after set layout in ancient numismatics. Inspired by Suetonius’s classic 2nd-century biographies (De vita Caesarum), this series offers an unmatched combination of compelling historical narrative, elite portraiture, and exceptional long-term market liquidity.

In this episode of Struck, we explore the practical realities of investing in Twelve Caesars coinage. We cover budget allocation strategies across metals (silver denarii vs. bronze sestertii vs. gold aurei), key rarity bottlenecks like the short-lived rulers of AD 69 (Galba, Otho, and Vitellius), and how to balance eye appeal, technical grading, and provenance for long-term value preservation.

Draft — show notes to be added before publishing.

Draft — show notes to be added before publishing.