Aes grave (heavy bronze) is a term in numismatics indicating bronze cast coins used in central Italy during the 3rd century BC, whose value was generally indicated by signs: I for the as, S for semis and pellets for unciae. Standard weights for the as were 272, 327, or 341 grams, depending upon the issuing authority.[1]
The main Roman cast coins had these marks and images:
| Image | value | mark |
|---|---|---|
| Ianus | As | I |
| Iupiter | Semis | S |
| Minerva | Triens | four pellets |
| Hercules | Quadrans | three pellets |
| Mercury | Sextans | two pellets |
| Bellona or Roma | Uncia | one pellet |
Issuing cities
Main series were from Rome, Ariminum (Rimini), Iguvium (Gubbio), Tuder (Todi), Ausculum (Ascoli Satriano), Firmum (Fermo), Hatria - Hadria (Atri), Luceria (Lucera), and Latin central Italy. Other series have unknown provenance.
Gallery
As (ca. 235 BC)
Triens (ca. 241–235 BC)
Quadrans (ca. 230–226 BC. weight 63.19 g
Vecchi 61; Crawford 27/8)
Sextans (ca. 289–245 BC)
Quincunx (coin) (After 220 BC)
Uncia (coin) (ca. 275–270 BC)
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See also
- Roman Republican coinage
- Aes rude
- Aes signatum
References
- ^ Michael H. Crawford (1974). Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge University Press. pp. 1–. ISBN 978-0-521-07492-6.
Further reading
- Haeberlin, Ernst: Aes Grave, Das Schwergeld Roms und Mittelitaliens einschließlich der ihm vorausgehenden Rohbronzewährung, Halle 1910.
- Head, Barclay V.: Historia Nummorum, a Manual of Greek Numismatic, London, 19112.
- Sear, David: "Roman Coins and Their Values," Volume I, Spink.
- Sydenham, Edward A.: Aes Grave A Study of the Cast Coinages of Rome and Central Italy. London, Spink, 1926.
- Italo Vecchi. Italian Cast Coinage. A descriptive catalogue of the cast coinage of Rome and Italy. London Ancient Coins, London 2013. Hard bound in quarto format, 84 pages, 90 plates. ISBN 978-0-9575784-0-1
External links