Dean Kinzer Website

Dean Kinzer

Numismatics Expert

Dean Kinzer is a Numismatics Expert. He is a specialist in ancient coins and is the founder of Kinzer Coins, a rare ancient coin dealership and educational coin resource hub. At Kinzer Coins, Dean has built the premier destination for authenticated ancient coins from Roman, Greek, Byzantine, and Biblical periods. Kinzer Coins’ mission is to bring history to life by connecting their clients with the legacy of ancient civilizations through authentic coins. He hosts the Ancient Coin Hour Podcast, which connects his audience directly with leading numismatists and ancient coin experts. The podcast helps listeners avoid common pitfalls while building an investment-grade collection that appreciates in both financial and historical value. Dean’s father was a numismatics expert himself, and taught Dean to recognize authentic ancient artifacts, understand their historical significance, and connect people with tangible pieces of history. He received a Master's Degree from Northern Illinois University with a Certific

Education

  • Masters Degree, Northern Illinois University

Certifications & Organizations

  • Certificate in Leadership, NIU
  • Distinguished Member, 502nd Infantry Regiment

Favorite Piece of Advice

Stay away from eBay until you learn!

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Forum Comments (2)

What are the most valuable ancient Greek coins?
The most valuable Greek coin ever minted came from a city called Panticapaeum, which produced a coin with a three-dimensional face of Pan. He's kind of turned in the image, and it's considered one of the great works of art from ancient history. It’s bold! I believe one of them sold for around $5 million because of the exceptional artistry.

Greek coins are so expensive because of the artwork. Some of them are even signed by the artists who made them. That’s something that really sets Greek coins apart from Roman ones. Roman coins have good artwork too, and Rome was more organized in terms of minting, but Greek coins are just on another level artistically.
What are the most valuable ancient Roman coins?
The most valuable ancient Roman coin ever sold was a Brutus coin, minted in 42 BC before his battle with Octavian and Mark Antony. The face of the coin has Brutus’s image (which was shocking at the time), and the reverse shows 2 daggers and the inscription "EID MAR" which means “Ides of March.” It’s basically a gangster coin saying, “I killed Caesar.” Only a few exist, and a gold one sold for $4 million. Another, with a hole from being worn as jewelry, sold for $2.5 million. Silver versions are more common but still six-figure coins.

Q&A Comments (1)

Co-authored Articles (30)

Rare Dollar Bill Value Calculator

Find out if your $1 bill is worth more than face valueGot an old or unusual dollar bill? It might be worth more than you think. From rare serial numbers to discontinued seal types and special print runs, some $1 bills ar...

What Are Two Dollar Bills Worth? Beginner’s Guide to Value

Could your $2 bill be worth thousands of dollars?Although $2 bills are legal currency that’s still being printed today, they just seem like something special and collectible. But are they actually worth anything? Truth...

Rare One Dollar Bills and What They’re Worth (Plus, Where to Sell Them)

Learn if your bill is worth $$$ with our bill value calculatorOne dollar bills may not get as much shine as bills of higher denominations, but don’t assume they’re not worth much. These little notes can fetch a hefty...

How to Tell If Your $2 Bill is Real: Detecting Counterfeit U.S. Money

Figure out if your $2 bill is genuine (or even rare or valuable)So you’ve got a $2 bill, and you want to make sure it’s genuine and not a counterfeit. You’ve come to the right place! It can be a bit tougher to veri...

Rare $20 Bills, Plus How to Appraise & Sell Them

The most valuable twenty-dollar bills in historyIn the world of rare money collecting, coins get all of the headlines. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a huge market for rare $20 bills. While most modern bills are w...

5 Easy Ways to Tell If a 1965 Quarter Is Silver

Learn why this coin is rare & how to identify other valuable error coinsWondering how you can strike gold just by sorting through your pocket change? While 1965 silver quarters are rare, they're worth thousands of dollar...

25 Most Valuable Dollar Coins (With Expert Insights)

Discover the rarest silver dollars and presidential dollar coinsThe United States produced dollar coins off and on between 1794 and 2012, and these eye-catching coins are a must-have in any coin collection. But which one...

What American Nickels Are Worth Money? Individual Coins & Nickel Series

Learn what errors and special features to look for on a rare nickel Five cents might not get you much these days, but if you find the right nickel in your pocket, it could be worth a lot more. Rare nickels can bring hund...

How to Identify Dime Error Coins & How Much They’re Worth

Numismatics expert Dean Kinzer explains the most common—and valuable—dime errorsIf you find a dime that has an error printed on it, then there’s a good chance it’s worth more than just a little pocket change. Dim...

How Much Is a 1941 Wheat Penny Worth?

Plus, learn the factors that drive the value up or downAsk a coin enthusiast which coin they first started collecting, and their answer might very well be the 1941 Lincoln wheat penny. That's because even though this coi...

Here’s What Your 1943 Steel Penny Could Be Worth (And How to Value It)

Plus, the history of one of America’s favorite collectible coinsHave ever found an old penny on the ground (or in your couch cushions) and wondered about its worth? If the date on the face of the coin next to Abraham L...

How to Value Old Coins

Are your old coins worth money? Find out with this expert-backed guideIf you aren’t a seasoned coin collector and you stumble across some old or unusual coins, you might be scratching your head trying to figure out how...

How to Spot Rare Sacagawea Dollar Error Coins (Plus, What They're Worth)

Numismatics expert Dean Kinzer discusses Sacagawea error coins that can be worth thousandsSacagawea Dollars were first introduced by the U.S. Mint in 2000, and some of the most collectible coins in this series are the re...

Buffalo Nickel Value: Rarest Coins & More

Discover how much your Buffalo nickel is worth todayThe Buffalo nickel series was designed by James Earle Fraser and was in circulation for 25 years, from 1913 to 1938. Buffalo nickels are extremely popular among collect...

All the Best Ways to Sell Old Coins: Tips, Tricks, & More

Everything you need to know about selling old coins and making a profit—cha-ching!If you’ve got some old coins you want to sell but aren’t sure where to start, you’re in luck! We’ve compiled a comprehensive gui...

How to Clean Silver Coins without Damaging Them

Including both gentle & deep cleaning methods When you ask a coin collector for cleaning advice, the gut reaction is usually "don't do it!" Almost all collectors will pay significantly more for a rare coin if its surface...

How to Identify Susan B. Anthony Coin Errors & Rarities

Numismatics expert Dean Kinzer explains which errors make a coin most valuableIf you’re a coin collector (or even if you're not), you might be wondering about that Susan B. Anthony coin in the back of your drawer. Is i...

How to

Identify Old Coins

Coins have been minted since the 6th century B.C. Although coin collecting has not been around as long, it is nonetheless a popular hobby for those interested in history and owning something potentially valuable. Knowing...

Which US Quarters Are Valuable? The Rarest Quarters You Can Find

These quarters could be worth thousands!Have old quarters lying around? Well, they may be worth big bucks! Some of the most valuable and rarest quarters are hidden in piggy banks or found in the oddest antique malls. But...

How Much Is a 1971 Kennedy Half Dollar Worth? A Simple Guide

Easy tips for identifying and valuing your half-dollar coinsCould your 1971 Kennedy Half Dollar coins be worth big bucks? While most are only worth face value—about $0.50—uncirculated coins in mint conditions and tho...
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