Roman Coin Denominations
Roman coins were minted in many different denominations and various types were added and eliminated through the centuries. In the Republic and earlier Imperial periods, Roman coins had an intrinsic value that related directly to metal purity content comparable to other denominations. In the late empire, the value of various issues are much more difficult to determine as in many cases, we don't even know the issued names of many bronze coins.
The following lists break down the most common denominations by the period in which they were issued.
|
Early Republic
| Aes Grave
Series introduced 290 BC |
| Denomination |
Relative Value |
| As |
12 Uncia |
| Semis |
6 Uncia |
| Triens |
4 Uncia |
| Quadrans |
3 Uncia |
| Sextans |
2 Uncia |
| Uncia |
Base Unit |
Mid Republic
The following were key monetary units just before and after the introduction of the Denarius.
| Denomination |
Introduction |
Metal |
Value |
Quadrigatus |
c. 270 BC |
Silver |
15 asses |
Denarius |
217 - 211 BC |
Silver |
10 asses |
Victoriatus |
c. 221 BC |
Silver |
5 asses |
Sestertius |
c. 211 BC |
Silver |
2.5 asses |
Dupondius |
c 290-280 BC |
Bronze |
2 asses |
As |
c. 290-280 BC |
Bronze |
Base Unit |
Semis |
c. 290-280 BC |
Bronze |
1/2 as |
Quadrans |
c. 290-280 BC |
Bronze |
1/4 as |
Sextans |
c. 290-280 BC |
Bronze |
1/6 as |
Late Republic to Early Empire
| Denomination |
Introduction |
Metal |
Value |
| Aureus |
1st Cent. BC |
Gold |
25 Denarii |
| Quinarius Aureus or Halbaureus |
1st Cent. BC |
Gold |
12.5 Denarii |
| Denarius |
217 - 211 BC |
Silver |
16 asses |
| Quinarius |
101 BC |
Silver |
8 asses |
| Sestertius |
Augustan Reforms
of 23 BC |
Brass |
4 asses |
Dupondius |
Augustan Reforms of 23 BC |
Brass |
2 asses |
| As |
Augustan Reforms of 23 BC |
Copper |
Base Unit |
| Semis |
Augustan Reforms of 23 BC |
Brass |
1/2 ass |
| Quadrans |
Augustan Reforms of 23 BC |
Copper |
1/4 ass |
Late Imperial - Constantine to the Fall of the Empire
Value of the denominations and corresponding sizes remained fairly constant in this period. The noted exception is the introduction of the bronze AE series in which the relative values are virtually unknown.
| Denomination |
Metal |
Weight or
Size |
Value |
| Solidus |
Gold |
4.5 gm |
24 Siliquae |
| Semissis |
Gold |
2.25 gm |
12 Siliquae |
| Scripulum |
Gold |
1.7 gm |
9 Siliquae |
| Miliarense |
Silver |
4.5 gm |
1/18 Solidus |
| Siliquae |
Silver |
3.4 gm |
1/24 Solidus |
| AE 1 |
Bronze |
25 mm |
NA |
| AE 2 |
Bronze |
21 - 25 mm |
NA |
| AE 3 |
Bronze |
17 - 21 mm |
NA |
| AE 3/4 |
Bronze |
16 - 18 mm |
NA |
| AE 4 |
Bronze |
Less than 17 mm |
NA |
|
|
Did you know? The emperor Nero (AD 54-68) lowered the weight of gold and silver coins and reduced the fineness of the silver. Successive emperors, always in need of money, continued this debasement until, by the reign of the emperor Caracalla (AD 198-217), the denarius was barely 40 % silver.
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