Aureus
AV Au

Main gold coin of the Early Roman Empire until Constantine the Great when the gold Solidus was introduced. The aureus has at least 92 % purity of the gold. Its weight varied from 7.9 to 7.2 grams. Actual weight of the coin will vary depending on the level of wear and condition.

Quinarius (gold)
AV Quin; AV Q

Small, solid gold fraction used in the Early Roman Empire monetary system. The gold Quinarius has at least 92 % purity of the gold. Its weight varied from 3.6 to 4.0 grams. Actual weight of the coin will vary depending on the level of wear and condition.

Antoninianus
AR Ant

The Antoninianus was introduced to the public by Caracalla during his reign in early second decade of Second Century AD. Designed as a coin with high purity of the silver (about 60 %) the antoninianus was quickly debased and the silver content during the reign of Aurelian was only 5 %. The stages of debasement of this type reflect in its name Silver Antoninianus, Billon Antoninianus, AE Antoninianus. Typical for the male personification on the obverse is the Radiate Crown and for the female – situating the bust on a Crescent. Its weight varied from 4.7 to 7.0 grams. Actual weight of the coin will vary depending on the level of wear and condition.

Denarius
AR Den; AR D

Denarius The Denarius was the main silver coin used in the Roman monetary system from the time of the Republic to the reign of Gordian III when the denarius was lost in the inflation process. It was first replaced by the Aregenteus and later by the Siliqua. The purity of the silver varies and reaches as low as 5 – 10 %. Its weight varied from 2.7 to 3.8 grams.  Actual weight of the coin will vary depending on the level of wear and condition.

Quinarius (silver)
AR Quin; AR Q

The Silver Quinarius is a fraction equal to half denarius or 16 Copper Asses. It was not very popular denomination which makes it desirable piece in every collection. Its weight varied from 1.8 to 2.0 grams. Actual weight of the coin will vary depending on the level of wear and condition.

Sestertius
AE Sest; S

The bronze or orichalcum (a metallic alloy, regarded by the ancient as a sort of bronze. How little acquainted they were with its true formation is shown by the fact that, deceived by its color, they supposed gold to be one of its constituents, and then perpetuated their error by a false orthography, [aurichalcum]). Sestertius was the largest bronze denomination in the early Roman Empire. The last sestertii were struck during the reign of Postumus 259-258 AD. The large size of the coin was an opportunity used by the talented engravers to produce coins with remarkable artistic qualities. With the decline of the Empire the art and theme became much more primitive. The weight of the Sestertius varied from 24.0 to 30.0 grams.  Actual weight of the coin will vary depending on the level of wear and condition.

Dupondius
AE Dup; AE Dp

The bronze or orichalcum (orichalcum - a metallic alloy, regarded by the ancient as a sort of bronze. How little acquainted they were with its true formation is shown by the fact that, deceived by its color, they supposed gold to be one of its constituents, and then perpetuated their error by a false orthography, [aurichalcum]) Dupondius was bronze fraction equal to half Sestertius or two Asses. It is similar in size to the Copper As but slightly heavier in weight. Typically the male personification on the obverse is wearing radiate crown but for some types the identification as Dupondius depend of the weight and the type of material (if recognizable without harming the patina and the coin). The weight of the Dupondius varied from 9.0 to 13.0 grams.  Actual weight of the coin will vary depending on the level of wear and condition.

As

The Copper As is the base unit in the Roman monetary system. It is similar in size to the bronze Dupondius but slightly lighter in weight and the male personification is never wearing Radiate Crown. It is recognizable and by the typical reddish color of the copper comparing to the yellowish of the bronze (if recognizable without harming the patina and the coin). The weight of the As varied from 8.0 to 11.0 grams.  Actual weight of the coin will vary depending on the level of wear and condition.

Semis
Sem

The bronze or orichalcum (orichalcum - a metallic alloy, regarded by the ancient as a sort of bronze. How little acquainted they were with its true formation is shown by the fact that, deceived by its color, they supposed gold to be one of its constituents, and then perpetuated their error by a false orthography, [aurichalcum]) Semis is fraction in the Roman monetary system. It is worth half As. The weight of the Semis varied from 3.0 to 4.0 grams.  Actual weight of the coin will vary depending on the level of wear and condition.

Quadrans
Quad

The Quadrans is copper fraction in the Roman monetary system. It is worth quarter As. The weight of the Quadrans varied from 2.0 to 3.0 grams.  Actual weight of the coin will vary depending on the level of wear and condition.

* The Monetary System of Ancient Rome was a conservative but dynamic structure.
** All sizes and weights are given for regular, well preserved issues in  Mint State or Extremely Fine condition. Depending of the thickness of the coin the diameter may varied out of the given above dimensions. Actual weight of the coin will vary depending on the level of wear and condition.

*** The Antoninianus was introduced by Caracalla during his reign in early second decade of Second Century AD. Designed as a coin with high purity of the silver (about 60 %) the antoninianus was quickly debased and the silver content during the reign of Aurelian was only 5 %. The stages of debasement of this type reflect in its name Silver Antoninianus, Billon Antoninianus, AE Antoninianus. Typical for the male personification on the obverse is the Radiate Crown and for the female – situating the bust on a Crescent.