Sestertius

The Sesterz (Latin sestertius ) was coin and the main processing unit ( monetary) in the Roman Republic and Emperor time to Emperor Diocletian. The Sesterz originally had the value of two and a half As, hence the name " the third (As) semi " = semis tertius (as). From about 130 BC, he was then 4 Aces or 2 Dupondien.

The original value of two and a half corresponds As the character IIS: II "half" for " two " S for semis. ( The assumption, incurring the $ character is created, is false. ) From IIS was later HS. Larger sums as 10 HS were, for example, as HSX ( decem sestertii ), 1000 HS as HSM ( mille sestertii ) or 2000 HS as HSMM (duo milia sestertii ) given in written records.

Development of the monetary unit

The Sesterz first appeared in the 3rd century BC in the Roman Republic, was defeated at this time in silver and weighed just over a gram. In the 1st century BC, the sestertius was first struck under Julius Caesar in bronze and issued in large quantities.

With the coinage reform of Augustus the Sesterz took its final shape. It was coined by then on out Aurichalkum, a brass -like copper -zinc alloy, had a diameter from 27 to 35 millimeters and a weight of about 27.3 grams (one ounce). This Sesterz certain the Münzwirtschaft for the next two hundred years. Although increased weight and zinc content from the time, the appearance and the value of the coin remained as a small change but constant.

The sestertius was also the book currency to the currency reform of Emperor Diocletian. Thus public spending, cashless transactions and accounts have been carried out with the Sesterz as a unit. Like the other coins of the first two centuries of the imperial period also fell victim to the Sesterz of inflation, since the material value of the nominal value soon exceeded by several times, especially since even the silver content of Denarius and Antoninianus constantly decreased. The last boom was short of Sesterz under Postumus, the Augustus of the Gallic Empire special, who spent beaten Doppelsesterze in Cologne.

The regular production of sesterces was - as well as all other bronze coins - inflation- adjusted to the issuance of the year 264, both under Emperor Gallienus in Rome ( Sear, Roman Coins and Their Values ​​III, pp. 310 ff ) as well as under Postumus in the Gallic Empire ( Sear, pp. 373 ff.) The last bronze coins were minted in comparable size in Cologne ( Sear, S. 376, No. 11106 ) and 275 in Rome ( Sear, S. 437, No. 116969 ) 269, which just happen to be serving not the regular payments Sonderprägungen acted.

The larger of the bronze coins produced 268-284 are referred to as partially reduced sesterces in the literature because of its far smaller size, but may also have had the value of Assen.

Purchasing power

  • A simple main meal or 0.55 liters of wine costing under Emperor Augustus 2 aces ( = ½ Sesterz ).
  • A normal slave cost the same time about 500 denars ( = 2000 sesterces ) or more.
  • The daily wage of the legionary had 10 aces (= 2 ½ sesterces ) to 1 penny.
  • The daily requirement of a laborer was one denarius (= 4 sesterces ).

Valences ( imperial period ) to about 200 AD

  • Aureus ( gold) = 25 denarii ( silver )
  • Denarius = 4 sestertii (brass)
  • Sestertius = 2 Dupondii (brass)
  • Dupondius = 2 Asses (copper / bronze )
  • As = 2 Semisses (brass)
  • Semis = 2 quadrantes (copper / bronze )
As (Roman coin) Quadrans Britannicus Hadrian
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