What Is The Difference Between Dupondius And As

One dupondius was tariffed at two asses (assaria). Both coins are roughly of the same size and weight at the same period of time. Both declined in size and weight over the decades, but their weight in relationship to each other remained approximately the same.

The dupondius was composed of orichalcum, which was a form of brass, (copper and zinc), and had a gold colour, when freshly struck. The image of the Emperor had a radiate crown.

The As was composed of bronze (copper and tin), which had a much browner colour. The image of the Emperor had a laurel wreath.

And just to confuse things ...... Extremely rare denomination the brass (orichalcum) As. Every generation or so it seems someone would have the 'brilliant' idea to knock out asses in orichalcum. They are usually about half the weight slightly smaller diameter and to really drive the users 'nuts' had no radiate crown ! I have one Trajan which was re struck with the appropriate regalia. Why they did it is a mystery. Perhaps they had some sane motive.

1 Sest. (orichalcum) = 2 (orichalcum) Dup.
1 Dup. (orichalcum) = 2 (copper) As
1 As (copper) = 2 (orichalcum) semis
1 Semis (orichalcum) = 2 (copper) quadrans

ergo
1 As equals 4 quadrans ...... 1 Dup. equals 8 quadrans ..... 1 Sest. equals 16 quadrans

It should perhaps be noted that there are some denominations and rulers for which it is more or less impossible to determine whether a specific coin was intended as a dupondius or an as. The dupondius = radiate crown rule was late in coming and not always adhered to. Specifically, while a senior emperor would be laureate/radiate, a junior emperor or caesar would be bare-headed, with no headgear on either as or dupondius.

Dupondii without crowns are not common. In fact I paid through the nose for this one. But I have no regrets !
I also have the Nero 'VICTORIA AVGVSTI' dupondius.(without crown)

I did have a low grade Claudius without crown but I did parted with it a few years back.

Nero Dupondius
Sear 1963 RIC 187
12.97 grams 30mm





If there is any doubt you can see that it is orichalcum and not copper.

I doubt that 100 years has put this patina on a cleaned surface....I imagine some toning was done with iron sulphate etc. at some point and probably a long time ago. beautiful coin, i'd love one like this, but my bank manager wouldn't!!

I first encountered the problem when I acquired a fairly worn bronze of Marcus Aurelius as Caesar similar to this one on Wildwinds and had a hard time trying to find it in Sear. Mine is clearly bronze-looking so I assumed it was an as; I finally found it with some help from CCF members.

If you look at the earlier section of the Marcus Aurelius page for the coins listed while he was still a mere bare-headed Caesar, you will see many coins listed as "as or dupondius". The alloy is sufficiently uncertain that no-one knows for sure which denomination was originally intended. Presumably the coins were a lot more clearly either yellow or orange back when they were first made.