This particular coin - a follis - was struck in early 312 AD in Nicomedia
Obverse: IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMINVS PF AVG, laureate head right
Reverse: GENIO A-VGVSTI, Genius standing left, modius on head, naked, except for chlamys over left shoulder (falls low), holding patera from which liquid flows, and cornucopiae. Right field: Γ. Mintmark SMN.
SMN stands for 'Sacra Moneta Nicomedia' - the mint in the city of Nicomedia where this coin was struck.
The Γ in the right field is a gamma - the third letter in the Greek alphabet - and signifies that this coin was struck in the 3rd workshop in the Nicomedia mint.
I like this coin a lot because it's in such excellent shape :) Pretty much as struck, except for the silvering which is gone.
Well, let me know when the time comes. I'd be happy to help you get started :)
You can collect ancient coins on most budgets, I think, although the Ramen-level-budget is probably a little restrictive...
@EvilCartyen @PugJesus @ancientcoins
This one was a ramen budget coin: https://coinofnote.com/360-a-d-rome-ae-3-fel-temp-reparatio/ as was this one: https://coinofnote.com/constantivs-ii-ivnior-vot-x-321-324/ - at least they were ~$2-$3 USD each - so not ideal if it's that OR eat, but amazing what you can hold in your hand and learn for that little.