Sextans (coin) explained

The sextans was an Ancient Roman bronze coin produced during the Roman Republic valued at one-sixth of an as (2 unciae).[1] [2] An as was roughly 324 grams in weight, thus leaving the sextans at about 54 grams. However, the effects of the Second Punic War on the Republic's economy resulted in a reduction in weight, where the as reduced to about 50 grams, resulting in the sextans weighing about 8 grams.[3] The most common design for the sextans was the bust of Mercury and two pellets (indicating two unciae) on the obverse and the prow of a galley on the reverse. Earlier types depicted a scallop shell, a caduceus, or other symbols on the obverse.[4]

See also

Notes

  1. Web site: Coin - Sextans, Aes Grave, Ancient Roman Republic, 241-235 BC . 2024-08-02 . Museums Victoria Collections.
  2. Web site: LacusCurtius • Roman Coins — As (Smith's Dictionary, 1875) . 2024-08-02 . penelope.uchicago.edu.
  3. Web site: Antigone . 2021-05-03 . Money Talks: A Very Short History of Roman Currency . 2024-08-02 . Antigone . en-GB.
  4. Web site: The Sextans denomination . 2024-08-02 . www.ancientcoingallery.net . en.

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