Roman Coin Denominations :
Relative Sizes and Values
This is just what I have
compiled via the internet. There were more types than stated here !!
Early Republic ( >
290 bc)
| Coin |
Value |
Metal |
Thus |
|
|
|
|
| As |
12
Uncia |
Bronze |
|
| Semis |
6
Uncia |
Bronze |
|
| Triens |
4
Uncia |
Bronze |
|
| Quadrans |
3
Uncia |
Bronze |
|
| Sextans |
2
Uncia |
Bronze |
|
| Uncia |
Base
Unit |
Bronze |
Fell
into disuse in the empire, resurged briefly during
Hadrian. |
From Augustus to Caracalla (27 bc - 217 ad)
| Coin |
Value |
Metal |
Weight |
Diameter |
Thus |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Aureus |
25 denarii |
Gold |
7,85
gr. |
20 mm |
A
war-financing coin. Later debased. |
| Quinarius |
12.5 denarii |
Gold |
4
gr. |
15 mm |
|
| Denarius |
16 asses |
4,5
gr (rep.) -
2,3 gr (carac.)
of Silver
|
3,8 gr.
|
19 mm |
1st
struck at 216 bc valued at 10 asses. Around 118 bc revalued (see left).
Very accessible coin. In disuse after 240 bc. |
| Quinarius |
8 asses |
Silver |
2
gr. |
15 mm |
|
| Sestertius |
4 asses |
Bronze |
25-30
gr. |
25-35 mm |
Biggest coin
(lit.). 'The' coin of preference for valueing for example an estate. |
| Dupondius |
2 asses |
Bronze |
12
gr. |
28 mm |
Sometimes
in Orichalcum (mustardly bronze) |
| As |
4
Quadrans |
Bronze |
11
gr. |
24-28 mm |
Had
tin added, giving it a reddish hue. |
| Semis |
2
Quadrans |
Bronze |
3-4
gr. |
18 mm |
Sort
of the 'small change' of it's day. |
| Quadrans |
-
- |
Bronze |
3
gr. |
15 mm |
Generally
with a symbol instead of a 'head'. |
During Caracalla and later
( 220 - 300 ad )
| Coin |
Value |
Metal |
Weight |
Diameter |
Thus |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Antonianus |
2 Denarii
(at start)
|
60
% silver
(at start) |
1,6
times a denarius |
15-18
mm |
Intro'd
by Caracalla. Made famous by the army- emperors. Commonly called
'Radiate'. |
Extra: The coin was
introduced by Caracalla wearing the radiate crown, signifying it as valued
at twice as much (though it's weight was only max. 1,6 as much). Though at
start the coin consisted of 60% silver this deteriorated steadily to
fund the (internal) wars. After the capture of Gallienus' father G. minted
more than a million a day (!). By now the coiners had stopped lessening
the silver % an heightening the mix of bronze and tin. Now the flans were
of a 5-10% silver and then pickled so that the copper on the surface of
the coin was leached away. When struck these coins generally had such a
thin silver layer that it rapidly wore away. Aurelian (270 ad) tried a
monetary reform in which the Antonianus was put at a 20 parts to 1
part alloy (thus the XXI sometimes found on a coin). Bu this did not hold (as
Aurelian didn't). The Antonianus met the end of its product life-cycle
with Diocletian (300 ad). |
Diocletianic
Reforms ( about 300 ad)
| Coin |
Value |
Metal |
Weight |
Diameter |
Thus |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Aureus |
-
- |
Gold |
Weight
and Diameter fluctuated too much |
| Argenteus |
1/24
Aureus |
Silver |
Weight
and Diameter fluctuated too much |
| Follis |
1/5
Argentii or
10 Radiates |
2-5%
Silver
(rest Bronze) |
|
18-24
mm |
Morphed
into AE3 |
| Radiate |
1
Antoninianus |
Bronze |
Weight
and Diameter fluctuated too much |
Constantine unto The Fall
(330 - 450 ad)
| Coin |
Value |
Metal |
Weight |
Diameter |
Thus |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Solidus |
24
Siliquae |
Gold |
4.5
gm |
|
A nearly pure renewed Aureus |
| Semissis |
12
Siliquae |
Gold |
2.25
gm |
|
|
| Scripulum |
9
Siliquae |
Gold |
1.7
gm |
|
|
| Miliarense |
1/18
Solidus |
Silver |
4.5
gm |
|
Prior to Constantine the
Argenteus |
| Siliqua |
1/24
Solidus |
Silver |
3.4
gm |
|
Sort
of debased Denarius |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| AE
1 |
Unknown |
Bronze |
|
>
25
mm |
|
| AE
2 |
Unknown |
Bronze |
3
- 6 gm |
21-25 mm
|
Disappear
with the fall of the Constantinians |
| AE
3 |
Unknown |
Bronze
|
1,25
- 3gm |
17-21 mm
|
Sometimes
have a silver wash |
| AE
3/4 |
Unknown |
Bronze |
1,25
- 3gm |
16-18 mm
|
a
LOT of 'Gloria Excercitvs'. Not everybody agrees with typing this as AE 3/4 |
| AE
4 |
Unknown |
Bronze |
1
- 3gm |
<
16 mm |
|
Greek & Greek
Imperial Coins
| Coin |
Value |
Metal |
Weight |
Diameter |
Thus |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Mean of
me but simple. Generally called as it's Diameter, thus an AE22 is 22 mm, an AE 13 is
13 etc. |
|
