Questions and Answers

“Henricus” – Medieval Silver Seal Ring with Cross (12th–14th Century AD) – EU 65 / US 11 Aurora Antiqua

Fede, Posy, Mourning Rings: Devotional and Gift Rings 1200-1900

Three ring traditions from 13th-19th century — fede (clasped hands betrothal rings), posy (inscribed love mottos), mourning (memento mori). Identification, dating, authentication, market prices.

Early medieval gold ring Eadric with incised motif, three quarter view

Ancient Ring Materials Guide: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Iron

Bronze, silver, gold, iron in ancient Roman, Byzantine, Medieval, and Crusader rings — how to identify each metal, how it ages underground, what authentic surfaces look like, and the price...

Early Medieval Silver Ring with Cross Motif – “Ward” (9th–12th c. AD) – EU 51 / US 5.75 Aurora Antiqua

Medieval Crusader Rings: Identification + Provenance Guide

Crusader rings explained — 11th-13th century military, pilgrim, and clerical rings with Christian iconography. Cross variants, military-order insignia, materials, authentication, and market pricing €200 to €10,000.

'Minvera' - Roman Gold Ring (1st-1st CE/BCE) EU 58 / US 8.5 Aurora Antiqua

Roman Intaglio Rings Explained: A Collector's Guide

Roman intaglio rings — engraved gemstones set into metal bezels, used as personal seals. Carnelian, sard, agate, garnet, amethyst, glass paste. Iconography, valuation, authentication, and price tiers €200 to €5,000+.

“Leo Fortis” – Roman Bronze Ring with Lion Intaglio (1st–3rd Century AD) – EU 57 / US 8 Aurora Antiqua

How to Authenticate an Ancient Roman Ring: 7 Markers + Test Methods

The seven physical markers Aurora applies to every Roman ring before listing — patina, shank construction, bezel wear, intaglio die-style, weight, iconography, magnetism. Plus the four most common Roman ring...

Obverse of Roman silver denarius of Trajan, legend IMP CAES NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVG GERM DAC, radiate or laureate bust right.

How to Read a Roman Emperor Coin Portrait: A Diagnostic Guide

Identify any Roman emperor from coin portrait alone — hairstyle, beard, crown, jawline, period style. Diagnostic chart from Augustus to Constantine with worked examples.

Obverse of Roman silver denarius of Trajan, legend IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, radiate or laureate bust right.

Buying Your First Roman Coin: A Practical Beginner's Guide

Step-by-step guide for first-time Roman coin buyers — what to buy, where to buy, what €100 to €500 actually gets you, how to spot fakes, and how Aurora's lifetime authenticity...

Obverse of Roman silver antoninianus of Philip I, legend IMP PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate or laureate bust right.

What Are the Roman Coin Denominations? Denarius, Sestertius, Antoninianus, and the Rest

A complete guide to Roman currency from the Republic through the late Empire — denarius, sestertius, antoninianus, aureus, dupondius, as — with weights, fineness, dating, and how to value each...

Roman silver denarius of Trajan, 103-107 AD (RIC II), the worked example used in this guide: IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS V PP.

What Do the Letters on Roman Coins Mean? A Latin Glossary

Decode the abbreviations on ancient Roman coins. Imperial titles, conquest cognomina, reverse legends, mint marks, and a worked example with a Trajan denarius.

Roman silver denarius of Nero, 66-67 AD, RIC I-67, an example of a well-documented type from established European collections.

Are Ancient Roman Coins Legal to Own? A Country-by-Country Guide

Country-by-country legal status of owning and trading ancient Roman coins. Source-country restrictions, provenance, the 1970 UNESCO Convention, and import rules.

Roman silver ring 'Lavinia', 2nd-3rd century CE, EU size 60 / US 9.25, photographed against a neutral background.

Roman Ring Sizes: A Practical Guide for Collectors

Ancient Roman rings do not follow modern size standards. Full conversion table from inner diameter (mm) to EU, US, and UK ring sizes, with historical context.

Roman silver denarius of Septimius Severus, showing typical authentication markers: irregular flan, natural toning, and well-struck portrait.

How to Authenticate an Ancient Roman Coin: A Collector's Guide

A practical guide to authenticating ancient Roman coins: flan shape, patina, manufacturing technique, legend epigraphy, portrait style, weight tolerance, and magnetism.