Roman Coin Denominations :
Relative Sizes and Values
For Republican, Imperial and Roman Provincial coins.
The Internet be thanks for all the data.
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 - ad 217)
| 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). 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 |
| 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'. |
Caracalla's Reform (ad 217 - 270)
| Coin |
Value |
Metal |
Weight |
Diameter |
Thus |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Antoninianus |
2 Denarii
(at start) |
60% silver
(at start) |
1,6 of a Denarius |
15-18mm |
Intro'd by Caracalla.
Made famous by the army-emperors. Commonly called 'Radiate'. |
| |
Please note that Caracalla was not the first in wearing a radiate crown on coinage ! Also note that
'Antoninianus' is a modern name, we have no idea of the original one.
Caracalla meant to signify, by wearing a the radiate crown, that it was to be valued as a 'double-denarius'
(though it's weight was (ofcourse) only 1,6 as much). At start the coin consisted of 40% silver, which deteriorated steadily. Not only by adding less silver, but also by decreasing size and thickness. Necessary, when one realises that after the capture of Valerianus, son Gallienus is said to have minted more than a million a day (!).
At a certain moment devaluation couldn't increase, ther was nomore that 5% silver in it left. A certain Roman Monetary Einstein thought of a new technique : the now fully copper coins were 'washed' so the got a thin layer of silver, which generally soon wore away. with a in sliver.
|
Aurelianus' Reform (ad 270 - 275)
| Coin |
Metal |
Diameter |
Thus |
| |
|
|
|
| Antoninianus |
1 part silver to 20 parts copper |
Restored to 15-18mm |
Bore an 'XXI' mark. Called Aurelianus today. |
| |
|
A reform of the Antoninianus under Aurelian (270-275 AD) restored the diameter of the denomination
and stabilized the alloy at 1 part silver and 20 parts copper, probably the reason the bore a 'XXI' (21).
|
Diocletian's Reform (ad 295)
| 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 |
| |
|
The denomination came to an end with the reform (c.295 AD) of Diocletian (284-305 AD).
Early coins of Diocletian still bear the XXI mark and were issued on the old standard of Aurelian.
After his reform, radiate coins were issued with no silver content and without silver wash. These
'Post Reform Radiates' (far right above) are often confused by collectors and incorrectly called 'antoniniani'.
None of them bear the XXI mark. This distinction is made difficult by the fact that many of the silvered antoniniani in collections have lost all traces of the silver wash.
|
Constantine unto The Fall (330 - 450 ad)
| Coin |
Value |
Metal |
Weight |
Diameter |
Thus |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Solidus |
24 Siliquae |
Gold |
4.5gr |
|
A nearly pure renewed Aureus |
| Semissis |
12 Siliquae |
Gold |
2.25gr |
|
|
| Scripulum |
9 Siliquae |
Gold |
1.7gr |
|
|
| Miliarense |
1/18 Solidus |
Silver |
4.5gr |
|
Prior to Constantine : Argenteus |
| Siliqua |
1/24 Solidus |
Silver |
3.4gr |
|
Sort of debased Denarius |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Ae 1 |
Unknown |
Bronze |
|
> 25mm |
|
| Ae 2 |
Unknown |
Bronze |
3-6gr |
21-25mm |
Disappear with the fall of the Constantinians |
| Ae3 |
Unknown |
Bronze |
1,25-3gr |
17-21mm |
Sometimes had a silver wash |
| Ae 3/4 |
Unknown |
Bronze |
1,25-3gr |
16-18mm |
There are an
enormous amount of 'Gloria Excercitvs'. Not everybody agrees with typing this as AE 3/4 |
| Ae 4 |
Unknown |
Bronze |
1- 3gm |
< 16 mm |
|
Roman Provincial (a.k.a. Greek Imperial) Coins
| Coin |
Value |
Metal |
Weight |
Diameter |
Thus |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Heh, heh, hen : simple : generally called as it's Diameter, thus an AE22 is 22mm, an AE 13 is 13mm etc.
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