What evidence shows that coin collecting existed during the Roman era?

Evidence for coin collecting during the Roman era is supported by both literary accounts and tangible archaeological findings:

• Literary Records: The Roman historian Suetonius documented in De vita Caesarum that the emperor Augustus possessed a fondness for old and foreign coins, which he frequently gave to friends as gifts.1
• Archaeological Hoards: A collection of approximately 70 Roman gold coins discovered in Vidy, Switzerland, contained no duplicate types. This lack of repetition suggests the hoard was an intentional collection assembled during the period of Roman rule.1
• Mint Prototypes: During the reign of Trajanus Decius, the Roman mint issued a commemorative series featuring deified emperors from Augustus to Severus Alexander. Because some of these designs replicated coins nearly 300 years old, the mint must have maintained an assemblage of these older issues to serve as prototypes for the new engravings.1

These examples demonstrate that ancient Romans valued coins for more than their utility as currency, often appreciating them for their artistic imagery and historical significance.1