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Everything For The Metal Detectorist - Denominations

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Roman Currency - Numismatics (Coins)

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Aes Grave Series Introduced 290 B.C.
Denomination	Relative Value
AS	12 Uncia
Semis	6 Uncia
Triens	4 Uncia
Quandrans	3 Uncia
Sextans	2 Uncia
Uncia	Base Unit

Roman coins were minted in many different denominations and various types were added and eliminated through the centuries. In the Republic and earlier Imperial periods, Roman coins had an intrinsic value that related directly to metal purity content comparable to other denominations. In the late empire, the value of various issues are much more difficult to determine as in many cases, we don't even know the issued names of many bronze coins.
The following lists break down the most common denominations by the period in which they were issued.

Denominations	Introduction	Metal	Value
Quadrigatus	c. 270 B.C.	Silver	15 asses
Denarius	217-211 B.C.	Silver	10 asses
Victoriatus	c. 221 B.C.	Silver	5 asses
Sestertius	c. 211 B.C.	Silver	2.5 asses
Dupondius	c. 290-280 .B.C.	Bronze	2 asses
As	c. 290-280 B.C.	Bronze	Base Unit
Semis	c. 290-280 B.C.	Bronze	1/2 as
Quadrans	c. 290-280 B.C.	Bronze	1/4 as
Sextans	c. 290-280 B.C.	Bronze	1/6 as

Early Republic

Mid Republic

The following were key monetary units just before and after the introduction of the Denarius

Late Republic to Early Empire

Denomination	Introduction	Metal	Value
Aureus	1st Cent B.C.	Gold	25 Denarii
Quinarius Aureus or Halbaureus	2st Cent B.C.	Gold	12.5 Denarii
Denarius	217-211 B.C.	Silver	16 asses
Quinarius	101 B.C.	Silver	8 asses
Sestertius	Augustan Reforms of 23 B.C.	Brass	4 asses
Dupondius	Augustan Reforms of 23 B.C.	Brass	2 asses
As	Augustan Reforms of 23 B.C.	Copper	Base Unit
Semis	Augustan Reforms of 23 B.C.	Brass	1/2 as
Quadrans	Augustan Reforms	Copper	1/4 as

Late Imperial - Constantine to the Fall of the Empire Empire

Value of the denominations and corresponding sizes remained fairly constant in this period. The noted exception is the introduction of the bronze AE series in which the relative values are virtually unknown

Denomination	Metal	Weight or Size	Value
Solidus	Gold	4.5 gm	24 Siliquae
Semissis	Gold	2.25 gm	12 Siliquae
Scripulum	Gold	1.7 gm	9 Siliquae
Miliarense	Silver	4.5 gm	1/18 Solidus
Siliquae	Silver	3.4 gm	1/24 Solidus
AE 1	Bronze	25 mm	NA
AE 2	Bronze	21-25 mm	NA
AE 3	Bronze	17-21 mm	NA
AE 3/4	Bronze	16-18 mm	NA
AE 4	Bronze	Less than 17 mm	NA