1/5/2024 0 Comments Facts about roman coins![]() In the middle of the 2nd century BCE The denarius was already equal to 16 asses, which was marked on the obverse with the number XVI or a crossed X. Victoriatus served as a means of settlement in international transactions, or to be more precise, mainly in trade contacts with the Greek states in the south, and was in the ratio: 1 victoriat=1 Greek drachma. It should be noted that at that time the as became the basic Roman bronze coin and the unit of account.ĭuring the war with Hannibal, Viktoriatus also appeared, the name of which comes from the image of the goddess Victoria, minted on the coin. Launch of new silver coinsĪ smaller silver coin was also introduced around this time – quinarius (labeled “V”) – which had a value of 5 asses and sestertius (“IIS”) worth 2.5 asses. In the years 235-225 BCE the quadrigatus coin appeared, the name of which was due to the image of Jupiter on the coin that he was driving in the quadriga. With time, a new image appeared on the coin – Hercules and the she-wolf with twins began to be shown. This coin was probably created at a similar time as aes grave, but it had a typically propaganda dimension and was primarily intended to pay for soldiers taking part in the war, both their own citizens, mercenaries and Greek allies. With time, the inscription “ROMA” began to appear, which began to be stamped in Rome. The coin featured the image of the god of war Mars in a Corinthian helmet and the inscription “ROMANO” – these were minted in Campania. Their production initially took place in Campania. Introduction of the silver coin – didrachmaĪt the beginning of the 3rd century BCE, during the conflict with Pyrrhus (282-272 BCE), Rome introduced the first didrachma silver coin, which naturally was taken from Greek cities. Libra, in turn, contained 12 unciae uncia it was both the coin and the unit of measure for calculating the weight. The value of the coin was based on its weight. Additionally, the coins began to depict scenes from mythology and deities.ĭuring the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE, Rome used various bronze coins: decussis, quincussis, tressis, dupondius, as, dextans, dondrans, bes, semis, quincunx, triens, quadrans, sextans, uncia, semuncia, quartuncia, each with a different denomination and value. The following types were distinguished: as, semis, triens, quadrans, sextans and uncia. And this is how money called aes grave (Libral As) appeared, probably already in the 3rd century BCE. These activities also had a prestigious aspect – belonging to higher civilizations. In the meantime, the Romans also began to make smaller bronze coins, which imitated the Greek counterparts, and which resembled the shape of the familiar coins. Probably aes signatum was used until the end of the Third Punic War, i.e. The Romans also placed the inscription “ROMANOM” on the bars, emphasizing their statehood. ![]() The bars did not have a constant weight and weighed from 0.5 to 2.5 kg. Over time, rectangular, untreated bronze bars ( aes signatum or “embossed bronze”) appeared, often depicting cattle or a branch with side branches (the so-called Ramo Secco). ![]() The pure metals were weak and the tin strengthened the material. It should be noted that bronze was a cheap metal and was made of 90% copper and 10% tin. It is possible that in 406 BCE During the siege of the Veins, it was this new means of payment that paid soldiers. For each transaction, the appropriate amount of aes had to be weighed. Then it was started to use untreated bronze, in small pieces, for payment, the so-called aes rude. Scientists estimate the probable time of the emergence of a new currency in the middle of the 5th century BCE. With the more and more frequent contacts of the Romans with the Greeks living in southern Italy (so-called Great Greece), a need appeared in Roman society to imitate their Greek neighbours. Rome’s contacts with Africa and Far EastĬreative Commons Attribution license - On the same terms 3.0. ![]()
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