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