How I Created an $80k/Year Side Business Focusing on Ancient Coins - Side Hustle Nation

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      When you hear about side hustles, flipping 2,000-year-old Roman coins probably doesn’t spring to mind. However, for Dean Kinzer, what began as a tribute to his father's hobby evolved into a side hustle earning $86k per year, centered around history, storytelling, and a unique type of collector. Dean manages KinzerCoins.com and hosts The Ancient Coin Hour on YouTube, where he expresses his passion for ancient coins while educating others interested in the topic. Here’s how he achieved this.

      Tune in to Episode 668 of the Side Hustle Show to discover:

      - How Dean transformed a collector's passion into substantial income.

      - Why ancient coins represent the ultimate niche product.

      - The low-risk strategies he applied to create an $80k side hustle.

      Dean didn’t initially set out to be the go-to person for ancient coin collecting. His father was an avid collector and part-time dealer of coins and baseball cards. As a child, Dean accompanied him to shows, but as he grew older, he lost interest. It wasn't until his father's health declined and Dean began overseeing his estate that things changed.

      “I held onto these coins, like a tribute penny of Tiberias with Libya on the reverse,” Dean reflected. It made no sense to him to simply sell these items. “This is 2,000 years old. It’s not just a wheat penny. This has significance.”

      He then joined a Facebook group of approximately 10,000 members focused on medieval and ancient coins. This made him aware of the lack of accessible education in this field, especially for Americans.

      With little content available about ancient coins on YouTube, Dean decided to create it himself. “If there’s a void, I’m going to fill it.” He launched The Ancient Coin Hour with co-host Josh Benevento—an experienced numismatist and Grammy-winning opera singer. “He’s the technical expert, and I’m the spokesperson,” Dean explained. The show aims to guide novices on what to look for, who to purchase from, and how to avoid scams.

      There isn’t a straightforward method to determine if something is fake, but through learning, they can share this knowledge with the audience. They also feature experts—auction house owners, dealers, and authors—so that listeners can connect with the right people early on.

      In the beginning, Dean’s content creation was not glamorous; hardly anyone would view it, not even his acquaintances in the industry. This situation forced him to clarify his purpose. Was he creating content for seasoned collectors or for new enthusiasts? Dean opted for the latter and focused on education and community building.

      “You can hold history in your hand,” he said. It provides a tangible connection to the past, which conveys a compelling message. He shifted from marketing coins as investments to directly appealing to history enthusiasts. “With ancient coins, you can physically hold history.” If one loves history, why not collect something that links them to it? This niche within a niche—history lovers unaware of ancient coins—became his target audience.

      Dean now generates approximately $80,000 annually through various revenue streams, including:

      - Website sales

      - Auction representation

      - A paid subscription service that offers early access to rare coins

      - Coin shows and in-person events

      - YouTube ad revenue

      His first major sale occurred just weeks after launching his store. He sold a coin from the era of Mithridates VI Tetradrachm, known as the "poison king." The coin was listed, someone purchased it immediately for $12,000, and suddenly, the side hustle felt tangible. It was the happiest day of his life. “It made me feel like I can do this. I just need to find the right individuals.”

      An often-overlooked service Dean provides is auction representation. Collectors come to him, saying, “I want an Alexander the Great coin,” but they lack the knowledge to evaluate it. Dean offers his expertise to research, find options, and bid on their behalf for a 5% fee, helping them avoid overspending or purchasing counterfeit items. This service is particularly valuable in a domain where knowledge gaps can be costly.

      Dean also introduced a paid email subscription service at $9.95 per month, which includes early access to rare coins and a standing discount on all purchases. He has recently released his second list of 20 coins, some so sought-after that they don’t last even a second on the site. He acknowledges that keeping subscribers satisfied adds another layer of responsibility. “If people pay and don’t find value, they won’t stay.”

      Besides his online presence, Dean is bringing ancient coins to