Silver coins
Historic silver pieces that powered daily commerce, trade networks, and empire building.
Inside this collection
Thalers
Heavy silver coins from Central Europe that gave their name to the modern dollar.
Denarii
The principal silver currency of ancient Rome used to pay legions and buy daily goods.
Pieces of eight
Spanish eight-real silver coins that served as the world's first global reserve currency.
Drachmas
Ancient Greek silver coins famous for their realistic civic emblems and artistic dies.
Shillings
Traditional silver coins used across Britain and its former territories for centuries.
Silver dollars
Large silver currency units minted in North America for widespread public circulation.
Groats
Thick silver fourpenny coins common in medieval and Renaissance European markets.
Dirhams
Medieval Islamic silver coins that circulated heavily along Eurasian trade routes.
Small details deserve
a closer reading.
We tell the stories behind coins with clear explanations, useful sources and a sense of discovery.
Our approach