Roman Coin Denominations
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Next: Emperors of the Roman EmpireAs Basic unit, copper, 11g, 24-28mm
The Antoninianus, which was a double Denarii = to 32 Asses, was first introduced by Caracalla circa 214 AD. At first its silver content was 60% but as time passed the silver content was reduced.
Under the emperor, Diocletian’s monetary reform, he introduced a new gold coin called a Solidus, along with a silver Argenteus and some base metal coinage under Diocletian’s monetary reform.
The Aureus was reduced to gold billon.
The value of the Argentus, was about 1/24 of the Aureus.
The Follis contained 5% silver and was equal to 1/5 of an Argenteus or 10 Radiates. The bronze radiates were equal to an Antoninianus.
Under Constantine I there were further monetary reforms.
The solidus, gold, = to 1/72 pound of gold, 4.5g, = 24 Silquae
Semiss, gold, = to ½ Solidus or 12 Siliquae
1.5 Scripulum, gold, = to 3/8 Solidus or 9 Siliquae
Miliarense, silver, = to 1/72 pound of silver or 1/33 Siliquae
Siliqua, silver, = to 1/96 pound of silver or 1/24 Solidus
Late Roman Bronze coins were not assigned a value that we know of. Thus, they have been labeled by size.
AE1 25mm and upAE2 21-25mm
AE3 17-21mm
AE4 Less than 17mm
1 gram = 15.4323584 grains
1 grain = 0.06479891 of a gram or 64.79891 milligrams
The Handbook of Roman Imperial Coins by David Van Meter has assigned the following code value to coins.
VB1 $1.00-$100VB2 $101-$300
VB3 $301-$1,000
VB4 $1,001-$3,000
VB5 $3,001-$10,000
VB6 $10,000 and up
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