sestertii

Sestertii were a type of silver coin used in the Roman Republic and Empire. The term "sestertius" is derived from the Latin word "sestertium," which means "one-sixth." This name reflects the fact that the sestertius was originally one-sixth of an as, a unit of weight used in ancient Rome. The sestertius was introduced around 211 BC and remained in circulation until the late 3rd century AD.

The sestertius was minted in various denominations, with the most common being the sestertius (worth one-sixth of an as) and the dupondius (worth two sestertii). The sestertius was widely used for everyday transactions and was valued at around one-twelfth of a denarius, the standard Roman coin. The obverse of the sestertius typically featured the bust of a Roman emperor or a deity, while the reverse often depicted a scene from Roman mythology or a symbol of the city of Rome.

The sestertius was made of silver, which made it more valuable than bronze coins like the as and the quadrans. This higher value made the sestertius a popular choice for trade and commerce. The sestertius was also used as a medium of exchange in the Roman Empire, particularly in the eastern provinces.

The sestertius was eventually replaced by the denarius, which was made of bronze and had a higher value. The sestertius remained in circulation for some time, but its use declined as the denarius became more widely accepted. The sestertius is an important part of Roman numismatic history and provides valuable insights into the economic and political history of the Roman Republic and Empire.