aureus
Sign in to savethumb|300x300px|Aureus minted in 193 by Septimius Severus to celebrate [[Legio XIV Gemina, the legion that proclaimed him emperor]] The aureus ( aurei, 'golden') was the main gold coin of ancient Rome from the 1st century BC to the early 4th century AD, when it was replaced by the solidus. This type of coin was sporadically issued during the Republic and standardized during the Empire, originally valued at 25 silver denarii and 100 sestertii. It was about the same size as the denarius, but heavier than the denarius since gold is denser than silver.
Article
5 sectionsContents
- During the Republic
- Early Empire
- See also
- References
- External links
thumb|300x300px|Aureus minted in 193 by Septimius Severus to celebrate [[Legio XIV Gemina, the legion that proclaimed him emperor]] The aureus ( aurei, 'golden') was the main gold coin of ancient Rome from the 1st century BC to the early 4th century AD, when it was replaced by the solidus. This type of coin was sporadically issued during the Republic and standardized during the Empire, originally valued at 25 silver denarii and 100 sestertii. It was about the same size as the denarius, but heavier than the denarius since gold is denser than silver.
== During the Republic == The production of proper Roman coins began in the 3rd century BC and was limited to the minting of bronze asses; the gold brought back from spoils and war indemnities was stored in the public treasury (Aerarium). According to the needs of the state finances, the gold in the reserve was sold for minted silver, at a ratio of 1 to 12. The Second Punic War (218–201), due to its considerable financing needs, made it necessary to draw on the reserves of precious metal. Rome therefore issued silver denarii and several series of aurei, but the production of gold coins ceased after the war.