Jack Black, Louis XIV, and Augustus All Collected Coins — Here's How to Start Your Own Collection

What do Hollywood star Jack Black, Louis XIV of France, and the Roman Emperor Augustus have in common?

The answer is a passion for coin collecting — a hobby enjoyed by kings, celebrities, and everyday people alike for more than two thousand years. And the best part? Starting your own coin collection is easier than you might think.

This guide covers the famous collectors who shaped the hobby, the psychology behind why people collect, the themes that draw modern collectors in, and a practical step-by-step guide to starting your own collection today. It is the longest and most comprehensive guide we have written — because coin collecting deserves that treatment.

The Hobby That Unites Emperors and Actors

Coin collecting — known formally as numismatics, from the Greek word for coin — is one of the oldest hobbies in recorded history. It predates the printing press, the telescope, and the novel. It has been practised by Roman emperors, Renaissance popes, Enlightenment philosophers, Victorian aristocrats, and 21st-century Hollywood actors.

What draws such a diverse range of people to the same hobby? The answer is that coins are uniquely dense objects. A single coin can carry history, art, mythology, politics, and craftsmanship in a disc of metal small enough to hold between two fingers. A coin minted in ancient Athens carries the face of Athena and the owl of wisdom. A coin from Napoleon's empire carries the profile of a man who changed the map of Europe. A modern collectible coin carries the design sensibility of a contemporary artist working in a format that has existed for 2,600 years.

That density — the amount of meaning compressed into a small physical object — is what makes coin collecting different from other collecting hobbies. And it is what has attracted some of the most remarkable people in history to the pursuit.

Augustus — The First Great Collector

The Roman Emperor Augustus, who ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD, is widely considered the first great coin collector in recorded history. The Roman historian Suetonius records that Augustus had a particular fondness for old and foreign coins, and that he frequently gave them as gifts to friends and associates — a practice that was considered a mark of both generosity and cultural sophistication.

Augustus understood something that modern collectors still recognise: coins are not just currency. They are documents. Every coin minted during his reign carried his portrait, his titles, and the symbols of his authority. He used coins as a medium of communication across an empire that stretched from Britain to Mesopotamia — the ancient equivalent of a mass media campaign. But he also collected them as objects of beauty and historical significance in their own right.

The coins of Augustus's era are among the most sought-after in the world of ancient numismatics. The portrait coins in particular — showing the emperor in profile with his characteristic features — are considered masterpieces of ancient portraiture. The ancient coin tradition that Augustus both used and collected is one that continues to fascinate collectors today.

For modern collectors drawn to the ancient world, the Ancient Greek Athena Owl Coin is one of the most historically significant designs available — the owl of Athena was the most widely circulated coin design in the ancient Mediterranean world, the reserve currency of its era, and the coin that Augustus himself would have known and handled.

👉 Explore the Ancient Coins collection

Louis XIV — The Sun King's Cabinet of Coins

Louis XIV of France, the Sun King who ruled for 72 years from 1643 to 1715, was one of the most passionate coin collectors in European history. His collection — housed in the Cabinet des Médailles at the Palace of Versailles — was one of the largest and most significant in the world, containing thousands of ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine coins alongside contemporary European pieces.

For Louis, coin collecting was inseparable from his broader project of cultural dominance. He understood that to possess the coins of ancient Rome was to claim a connection to Roman imperial authority — to position himself as the heir to a tradition of power and civilisation that stretched back two millennia. The Cabinet des Médailles was not just a collection. It was a statement.

Louis also commissioned some of the finest medallic art of the 17th century, using coins and medals as vehicles for propaganda and commemoration in much the same way that Augustus had used them seventeen centuries earlier. The tradition of the commemorative coin — the coin that marks a moment, a person, or an achievement — owes much to the patronage of the Sun King.

The collection Louis built eventually became the core of what is now the Bibliothèque nationale de France's coin collection — one of the largest in the world, with over 500,000 pieces. Not bad for a hobby.

Jack Black — Hollywood's Most Enthusiastic Numismatist

Jack Black — actor, musician, and one half of Tenacious D — is perhaps the most publicly enthusiastic celebrity coin collector of the modern era. He has spoken about his passion for coins in multiple interviews, describing the hobby as one of his great pleasures and a genuine intellectual pursuit rather than a passive investment strategy.

What makes Jack Black's collecting interesting is the range of his interest. He is drawn to ancient coins — the tactile connection to history that comes from holding a piece of metal that was minted two thousand years ago — but also to unusual and visually striking modern pieces. He has described the experience of holding an ancient coin as "holding a piece of time" — a phrase that captures something real about why people collect.

Jack Black is not alone among celebrities. The list of famous coin collectors includes John Wayne, who collected ancient Roman coins; Franklin D. Roosevelt, who collected stamps and coins from childhood; King Farouk of Egypt, whose collection was one of the largest ever assembled; and the novelist Ernest Hemingway, who collected coins from the countries he visited as a form of travel memoir in metal.

The common thread is not wealth or status. It is curiosity — the desire to hold something that connects you to a different time, place, or story.

Other Famous Coin Collectors You Didn't Know About

Julius Caesar was an avid collector of engraved gems and coins, and is recorded as having given coin collections as gifts to friends. His great-nephew Augustus inherited both his empire and his collecting habit.

Pope Boniface VIII assembled one of the first great medieval coin collections in the 13th century, drawing on the resources of the papacy to acquire ancient Roman and Greek pieces that were then being unearthed across Italy.

Petrarch, the 14th-century Italian poet and scholar widely considered the first Renaissance humanist, was a passionate coin collector who used ancient coins as historical documents — studying the portraits on Roman coins to understand the appearance and character of the emperors he wrote about. He is sometimes called the father of numismatics.

Napoleon Bonaparte collected coins throughout his campaigns, acquiring pieces from every country he conquered. His collection reflected his self-image as the heir to Roman imperial tradition — a connection made explicit in the portrait coins he commissioned showing himself in the style of a Roman emperor. The Napoleon Bonaparte Crossing the Alps Commemorative Coin captures the most iconic image of his career — the moment that defined his legend.

King George V of the United Kingdom was a dedicated philatelist and coin collector whose collection formed the basis of the Royal Collection's numismatic holdings. He is said to have spent several hours each week on his collections throughout his reign.

Bing Crosby, the American singer and actor, was a serious coin collector who focused particularly on early American coinage. His collection was sold at auction after his death and achieved significant prices.

👉 Explore the Historical Figures collection

Why People Collect Coins

The question of why people collect is one that psychologists, anthropologists, and collectors themselves have been trying to answer for decades. The honest answer is that there is no single reason — collecting is a behaviour that serves multiple different needs simultaneously, and different collectors are drawn to it for different reasons.

The historical connection. For many collectors, the primary appeal is the tactile connection to history. A coin minted in ancient Athens was handled by people who lived in the world of Socrates and Pericles. A coin from the Roman Empire was used in transactions across a civilisation that shaped the modern world. Holding these objects creates a physical link to the past that no book or museum exhibit can quite replicate.

The aesthetic pleasure. Coins are miniature works of art. The best coin designs — ancient and modern — demonstrate extraordinary skill in a format that imposes severe constraints. Every element of the design must work at coin scale, in relief, in metal. The designers who succeed at this are doing something genuinely difficult, and the results reward close examination.

The narrative. Every coin tells a story. The portrait on the obverse, the symbol on the reverse, the inscription around the border — each element is a choice that reflects the values, politics, and aesthetics of the time and place that produced it. Collecting coins is collecting stories.

The thematic satisfaction. Many collectors are drawn to a specific theme — ancient civilisations, military history, mythology, a particular country or era — and find satisfaction in building a coherent collection around that theme. The sense of completeness, of assembling a set, is a powerful motivator.

The physical pleasure. There is something deeply satisfying about handling well-made metal objects. The weight, the texture, the way light catches the relief — these are sensory pleasures that digital collecting cannot replicate. Coins are objects that reward being picked up and examined.

Choosing Your Theme: Six Starting Points

The most common advice given to new collectors is to choose a theme. A themed collection is more satisfying to build, easier to display, and more coherent as a whole than a random accumulation of interesting pieces. Here are six themes that consistently attract new collectors — each with a recommended starting point.

1. Ancient Coins — The Original Numismatics

Ancient coins are the foundation of the hobby. The coins of ancient Greece, Rome, Persia, and Egypt are the pieces that drew Augustus, Louis XIV, Petrarch, and Jack Black to collecting. They carry the portraits of gods and emperors, the symbols of city-states and empires, and the inscriptions of civilisations that shaped the modern world.

The appeal is the historical density. A single ancient coin can connect you to a specific moment in history — the Athens of Pericles, the Rome of Caesar, the Egypt of Cleopatra — in a way that no other object quite manages. Ancient coins are not just collectibles. They are primary historical sources.

The Ancient Greek Athena Owl Coin is the ideal starting point for this theme. The Athenian owl tetradrachm was the most widely circulated coin in the ancient Mediterranean world — the dollar of its era — and the design, with Athena on the obverse and her sacred owl on the reverse, is one of the most recognisable in the history of coinage.

👉 Explore the full Ancient Coins collection

2. Gothic and Dark Art Coins — For the Collectors Who Like Their History Dark

Gothic and dark art coins are one of the fastest-growing categories in modern collectible coin design. They draw on the visual vocabulary of medieval gothic architecture, memento mori symbolism, dark fantasy, and the aesthetic tradition that runs from the medieval danse macabre through Victorian gothic literature to contemporary dark art.

The appeal is the combination of craft and atmosphere. A well-made gothic coin — with deep relief, antique finish, and a design that rewards close examination — is a genuinely striking object. It looks like something that belongs in a cabinet of curiosities, which is exactly where many collectors display them.

The Wizard Skull Hobo Coin is a strong entry point for this theme — it combines the American hobo nickel tradition (hand-carved folk art coins that date to the early 20th century) with gothic dark art imagery in a design that is both historically grounded and visually arresting.

👉 Explore the full Gothic Coins collection

3. Military Coins — The Challenge Coin Tradition

Military coins have a long and specific tradition. The challenge coin — a coin given to mark membership of a unit, commemorate a deployment, or recognise an act of service — has been part of military culture for over a century. The design language of a well-made military coin is immediately recognisable: bold central emblem, border text, substantial weight, precise detailing.

For collectors, military coins offer a combination of historical significance and design quality that is hard to match in other categories. The best military coins are not just collectibles — they are documents of service, sacrifice, and belonging.

The US Special Forces Commemorative Coin is one of the strongest pieces in this category — the Special Forces design tradition produces some of the most visually powerful military coins, and this piece captures that tradition in a format that works equally well for veterans, military families, and collectors with no personal connection to the armed forces.

👉 Explore the full Military Service Coins collection

4. Historical Figures — Coins as Portraits of Power

The portrait coin — a coin bearing the likeness of a historical figure — is one of the oldest and most enduring formats in numismatics. From the profile portraits of Alexander the Great on his tetradrachms to the facing portraits of Byzantine emperors to the commemorative coins of modern leaders, the portrait coin is the format that connects the collector most directly to the person depicted.

Collecting historical figure coins is collecting a gallery of portraits — a visual history of power, ambition, and achievement rendered in metal. The figures who appear on coins are, almost by definition, the people who shaped history: the rulers, the generals, the revolutionaries, the explorers.

The Napoleon Bonaparte Crossing the Alps Commemorative Coin is one of the most powerful pieces in this category. The image — based on Jacques-Louis David's famous painting — is one of the most recognisable in Western art history, and its translation to coin format captures both the drama of the original and the commemorative weight of the subject.

👉 Explore the full Places, People and Events collection

5. Pirate Coins — The Romance of the High Seas

Pirate coins occupy a unique position in the collecting world. They draw on one of the most enduring mythologies in popular culture — the golden age of piracy, the Spanish Main, buried treasure, the Jolly Roger — while also connecting to a genuine historical tradition of maritime coinage that is fascinating in its own right.

The Spanish pieces of eight, the doubloons, the cobs and pillar dollars that circulated in the Caribbean during the 17th and 18th centuries are among the most romanticised coins in history. They are the coins that pirates actually used, fought over, and buried. Modern pirate-themed collectibles draw on that mythology while adding the design ambition of contemporary coin art.

The Pirate Skull Hobo Nickel Coin combines the hobo nickel tradition with pirate imagery in a design that is both visually striking and historically grounded. The skull motif — the memento mori symbol that appeared on pirate flags and coins alike — gives the piece a depth that goes beyond simple novelty.

👉 Explore the full Pirate Coins collection

6. Spiritual and Religious Coins — Faith in Metal

Spiritual and religious coins are one of the oldest categories in numismatics. Coins have carried religious imagery since the earliest days of coinage — the gods of ancient Greece and Rome appeared on coins centuries before the Christian era, and religious symbolism has been a constant presence on coinage ever since.

For modern collectors, spiritual coins offer a combination of personal meaning and design quality that is hard to find in other categories. A well-made spiritual coin is not just a collectible — it is an object of contemplation, a physical expression of faith or philosophical conviction that can be carried, displayed, or given as a gift with genuine meaning.

The Jesus Last Supper Commemorative Coin is one of the most significant pieces in this category — the Last Supper is one of the most depicted scenes in Western art history, and its translation to coin format produces a piece that works as both a devotional object and a collector's item of genuine quality.

👉 Explore the full Spiritual and Religious Coins collection

How to Start Your Collection Today

Starting a coin collection is simpler than most people expect. The barriers to entry are low, the initial investment can be modest, and the learning curve is gentle. Here is a practical guide to getting started.

Step 1: Choose your theme. The single most important decision in starting a collection is choosing a theme. A themed collection is more satisfying to build, easier to display, and more coherent as a whole. Use the six themes above as a starting point, or think about what draws you to coins in the first place — history, art, mythology, a specific country or era, a personal connection to a subject.

Step 2: Start with one coin. The most common mistake new collectors make is trying to build a collection all at once. Start with a single coin that genuinely excites you — a piece that you would be happy to own even if you never bought another. That coin will tell you more about what you want from collecting than any amount of research. For guidance on choosing your first piece, see our guide to the best first coin to buy.

Step 3: Learn as you go. Coin collecting rewards curiosity. Every coin you acquire is an invitation to learn more about the history, mythology, or culture it represents. The collectors who get the most from the hobby are the ones who treat each new piece as a starting point for research rather than an endpoint.

Step 4: Build deliberately. Once you have your first coin and a sense of your theme, start building deliberately. Think about what the collection will look like as a whole — what pieces complement each other, what gaps you want to fill, what the collection will say when it is displayed together. For guidance on building a collection without overspending, see our guide to building a coin collection on a budget.

Step 5: Think about display. A coin collection that lives in a drawer is a collection that gives you very little pleasure. Think early about how you want to display your coins — a dedicated display case, a shadow box, a coin album, or individual stands. The display is part of the collection.

Step 6: Share the hobby. Coins make exceptional gifts precisely because they are small, well-made, and carry meaning. A coin given as a gift is a gift that lasts. For ideas on giving coins as gifts, see our guide to small gifts with big meaning.

Displaying and Storing Your Coins

How you display and store your coins matters more than most new collectors realise. Coins are durable objects, but they are not indestructible — and a collection that is poorly stored or displayed loses much of its visual impact.

Display cases and shadow boxes are the most visually impressive option for a small collection. A shadow box with individual coin mounts allows you to arrange your coins in a way that tells a story — grouping them by theme, by era, or by visual relationship. Hung on a wall, a shadow box display transforms a collection into a piece of wall art.

Coin stands are the simplest option for individual display. A coin propped in a small acrylic stand on a desk or shelf is immediately visible and accessible — you can pick it up, examine it, and put it back without disturbing the rest of the collection.

Coin albums and folders are the traditional storage solution for larger collections. They protect the coins from handling damage and allow you to organise them systematically. The disadvantage is that coins in an album are not on display — they are stored.

Handling. Handle your coins by the edges, not the faces. The oils from your fingers can damage the finish over time, particularly on antique-finished pieces. If you are examining a coin closely, hold it over a soft surface in case you drop it.

Environment. Store coins away from direct sunlight, extreme temperature changes, and high humidity. A stable, cool, dry environment is ideal. Avoid storing coins in plastic bags, which can trap moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jack Black really a coin collector?

Yes — Jack Black has spoken publicly about his passion for coin collecting in multiple interviews. He is particularly drawn to ancient coins and has described the experience of holding a coin that is two thousand years old as one of the great pleasures of the hobby.

What is numismatics?

Numismatics is the formal term for the study and collection of coins, banknotes, and related objects. It derives from the Greek word "nomisma" meaning coin. A numismatist is someone who studies or collects coins. The term is used interchangeably with "coin collecting" in casual usage, though numismatics technically encompasses a broader range of monetary objects.

How much does it cost to start a coin collection?

You can start a meaningful coin collection for very little. A single well-chosen collectible coin can cost less than a meal out, and it will last considerably longer. The key is to start with one piece that genuinely excites you rather than trying to build a collection all at once. See our guide to building a coin collection on a budget for practical guidance.

What is the best theme for a beginner collector?

The best theme is the one that genuinely interests you. If you are drawn to ancient history, start with ancient coins. If you are interested in military history, start with military coins. If you are drawn to dark art and gothic imagery, start with gothic coins. The theme should reflect your existing interests — collecting is most rewarding when it connects to something you already care about.

What was Augustus's coin collection like?

The Roman historian Suetonius records that Augustus collected old and foreign coins, and that he frequently gave them as gifts. He was particularly interested in coins from the Greek world and from the eastern provinces of the empire. His collection was considered a mark of cultural sophistication and historical awareness — qualities that the first Roman emperor was keen to project.

Can collectible coins be given as gifts?

Yes — coins make exceptional gifts precisely because they are small, well-made, and carry meaning. A coin given as a gift is a gift that lasts. See our guide to small gifts with big meaning for ideas on giving coins as gifts.

Are collectible coins legal tender?

No — the collectible coins available at One More Coin are commemorative tokens. They are not legal tender, not issued by any government mint, and not investment products. They are intended for display, collection, and gifting purposes only.

How should I store my coin collection?

Store coins away from direct sunlight, extreme temperature changes, and high humidity. Handle them by the edges to avoid transferring oils from your fingers to the coin faces. Display cases, shadow boxes, and coin stands are all good options for display. Coin albums are the traditional solution for larger collections that need systematic storage.

About the Author
Written by the One More Coin editorial team, a UK-based collectible coin retailer specialising in themed, symbolic, and artistic coin designs for collectors and gift-givers worldwide.

Disclaimer: All coins featured are commemorative collectible tokens. They are not legal tender, not issued by any government mint, and not investment products. Intended for display, collection, and gifting purposes only.

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