Roman coins » Early denominations

Early Denominations

Between the late first century BC and the mid third century AD the Romans produced coins of different denominations, struck in different metals. Each denomination can be distinguished from the next by its metal, size, weight and sometimes by the emperors headdress.

The early denominations of Roman coinage, relatively displayed for size.

The Aureus 10 examples validated.
Weight: approx. 6.5 - 8.0g Diameter: approx. 19mm Thickness: approx. 3mm Metal: Gold (Roman gold is a rich yellow rather than a pale yellow) Design: High relief Obverse: Laureate or bare-headed As UK finds: Rare, but 1 st to 2 nd century AD most common
The Denarius 4385 examples validated.
Weight: approx. 2.3 - 4.0g Diameter: approx. 18mm Thickness: approx. 2mm Metal: Silver Design: High relief Obverse: Laureate or bare-headed As UK finds: Roman Republican denarii (211 to 27 BC) are fairly common; Roman Imperial denarii (27 BC to circa AD 240s) are extremely common
The Sestertius 2684 examples validated.
Weight: approx. 15 - 28g Diameter: approx. 30mm Thickness: approx. 3 - 4mm Metal: Copper alloy (brass, pale yellow when cleaned) Design: High relief Obverse: Laureate or bare-headed Reverse: Includes the prominent letters S C As UK finds: Common AD 50s to 260s, especially 2 nd century
The Dupondius 588 examples validated.
Weight: approx. 5 - 14g Diameter: approx. 25mm Thickness: approx. 3 - 4mm Metal: Copper alloy (brass, pale yellow when cleaned) Design: High relief Obverse: normally radiate crown Reverse: Includes the prominent letters S C As UK finds: Common AD 50s to 260s
The As 1915 examples validated.
Weight: approx. 5 - 14g Diameter: approx. 25mm Thickness: approx. 3 - 4mm Metal: Copper alloy (copper, red when cleaned) Design: High relief Obverse: Laureate or bare-headed Reverse: Includes the prominent letters S C As UK finds: Common circa AD 41 to 260s

The Portable Antiquities Scheme

Early Denominations