Getting Started with Roman Coins - Denarius Coinage (Sextanal Standard) (211 BC - 82 BC)

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Aes Grave (Heavy Bronze) Coinage (290 BC to 211 BC)
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By 211 BC the old Aes Grave coins had become devalued to the extent that a new system of coinage was needed. Gold coins were briefly introduced in 211 BC, but were only minted until 207 BC. Three silver coins were introduced – the Denarius, the Quinarius and the Sestertius. These replaced the larger bronze coins (the Decussis, Quincussis and Tressis).

Two short lived bronzes, the Dextans and Quincunx (see note below) appeared in 2110 BC and disappeared in 208 BC. The Semuncia was abandoned around 208 BC, although it made small appearances again between 179-170 BC, 108-107 BC, and 105 BC.

Note: the CRRO website has problems with the Quincunx and Quincussis. The search for Quincunx coins above claims to be for Quincussis, but the coins are actually Quincunx.

In 211 BC, the Roman Republican Denominations were:

MetalDenominationValue Value Mark on ReverseNotes
Gold60-as60 Asses↓XMinted from 211 BC to 207 BC. Used for military and emergency purposes.
40-as40 AssesXXXXMinted from 211 BC to 207 BC. Used for military and emergency purposes.
20-as20 AssesXXMinted from 211 BC to 207 BC. Used for military and emergency purposes.
SilverDenarius10 AssesXApprox 4.5g and 99% silver. Replaced the Decussis
Quinarius5VApprox 2.25g and 99% silver. Replaced the Quincussis
Was never issued on a regular basis and stopped around 208 BC, with one further issue around 179-170 BC.
Sestertius2 ½IISApprox 1g and 99% silver. Replaced the Tressis
Was never issued on a regular basis and stopped around 206 BC.
BronzeAs1 AsIBronze was on the Sextantal standard at this time, so one As was approximately 41g-54g
Dextans10/12 AsS◯◯◯◯Produced from 211 BC to 208 BC
Semis½ AsSProduced until 86 BC
Quincunx5/12 As◯◯◯◯◯211 BC to 208 BC
Triens⅓ As◯◯◯◯Produced until 86 BC
Quadrans¼ As◯◯◯Produced until 86 BC
Sextans⅙ As◯◯Produced until 96 BC
Uncia1/12 AsProduced until 105 BC
Semuncia1/24 AsNo markProduced sporadically until 105 BC

Things then continued much as they did before. By 206 BC the Denarius had dropped from 4.5g to 4.0g, and by around 141 BC the As had dropped to 27g (the Uncial Standard; 1 As = 1 oz). The bronze coins weighed 1/12 of what they did in 290 BC. Due to this drop in weight, the Denarius was retariffed to be worth sixteen Asses instead of ten. Its mark of value changed from X to XVI accordingly. In 136 BC, the mark of value was changed from XVI to an X with a line through it:

Denarius mark-of-value changes

All Photos: Source gallica.bnf.fr / BnF

In 146 BC, all bronze production stopped, but started again for some denominations in 141 BC. Production was sporadic until 97 BC when it became regular again for Asses, Semis, Triens, Quadrans and Sextans.

In 127 or 126 BC, two new bronze denominations were struck by C. Cassius, but they were only minted for a year:

DenominationValue Value MarkNotes
Dodrans9/12S◯◯◯Only produced in 126 BC by C. Cassius
Bes8/12S◯◯Only produced in 126 BC by C. Cassius

In 101 BC, the silver Quinarius was reintroduced (last minted in 206 BC) but with a value of 8 asses instead of 5. The value mark was Q instead of V.

Quinarius mark-of-value change

All Photos Source gallica.bnf.fr / BnF

In 91 BC the Sestertius was reintroduced (last minted in 206 BC) but only lasted until 90 BC. As a result, they are extremely rare today. They can be identified by the letters ELP (Ex Lege Papiri). Bronze coins moved to the Semuncial standard, and one As was now 13.5g (½ oz).

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Aes Grave (Heavy Bronze) Coinage (290 BC to 211 BC)
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