Roman Coin Denominations and their values
Roman Coin Denominations
Roman coins were in circulation between the Middle of the Third Century BC until
the middle of the third Century AD. The main denominations of Ancient Roman coins
during this period include the following.
Aureus (gold), the denarius
(silver), the sestertius
(bronze/brass), the dupondius
(bronze/brass), follis (Bronze
with silver wash), antoninianus
(Silver/Bronze) and the as (copper).
During Ancient Roman, Roman
coins and their values were determined by their metal content and their
size which differed with Romes ever changing economy
The least expensive Roman coins to collect are those that were created in the greatest
number, which was during the Roman Imperial period from around 30 BC to 70 AD. This
is probably a good time period to collect coins from as it is easiest to attribute
or identify coins of this period. The coins are easier to read as they have inscriptions
in Latin, and the emperor’s name can be found on the coin.
Coins from the Roman republic (T. Larcius: 510BC - Julius Caesar: 49BC) and the
coins of the Byzantine Empire (Anastasius I: 496AD - Constantine XI: 1454AD) are
more expensive. Also the Greek coins are more expensive as these were minted on
small islands of Greece and used locally, hence they are rarely as less were made.
However, cheap Greek bronzes can be obtained starting at around $10 and cheap silver
for about $20 or so; the high quality ones go for hundreds of dollars or more).
It is therefore easiest to collect the Roman Imperial coins, unless you can afford
to collect coins from other periods. Also the early Greek coins had no inscriptions
whatsoever, or ones of a culture whose language you cannot read.
There were a number of different denominations used during the Roman Empire. These varied in metal content but were usually comprised of either gold, silver, copper or bronze.
The Roman economy was not stable and just like today they experienced recessions, depressions and inflation. Hence the denominations, their metal content and value varied quite considerably.
Here are the most common denominations, their metal content and when they were used.
|
In Use |
Denomination |
Metal Content |
|
to c.200 AD |
Denarius |
Silver |
|
to c.300 AD |
As, Sestertius, Dupondius |
Bronze/Copper/Orichalcum |
|
3rd century AD |
Antoninianus |
Silver/Bronze |
|
4th century AD |
Follis, AE1-4 |
Bronze (silver wash) |
Here are the values of the coins relative to other coins during their time.
|
Denomination |
Value |
|
Quadrans [copper] |
1/4 copper as |
|
Semis [brass] |
1/2 as |
|
As [copper] |
1 |
|
Dupondius [orichalcum] |
2 copper asses |
|
Sestertius [orichalcum] |
4 copper asses |
|
Quinarius [silver] |
8 copper asses |
|
Denarius [silver] |
16 copper asses |
|
Antoninianus [silver] |
2 silver denarii |
|
Aureus [gold] |
25 silver denarii |
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