Roman Coins List

Roman coinage is one of the most extensive and complex monetary systems in history. This page highlights the major coin types, denominations, and series used across the Roman Republic and Empire. It is designed as a foundational guide and does not include every individual coin issue or variation.

Roman Coinage by Groupings

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Early Roman / Proto-Monetary

Series / Type	Approx. Date Range	Metal	Description	Notes
Aes Rude	before c. 4th–3rd century BCE	Bronze	Irregular bronze lumps used by weight	Pre-coinage monetary system
Aes Signatum	c. 4th–3rd century BCE	Bronze	Cast rectangular bronze bars	Transitional form

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Republican Cast Bronze

Series / Type	Approx. Date Range	Metal	Description	Notes
Aes Grave	c. 3rd century BCE	Bronze	Heavy cast coinage system	Multi-denominational
As	c. 3rd century BCE onward	Bronze	Base unit	Core denomination
Semis	c. 3rd century BCE onward	Bronze	Half as
Triens	c. 3rd century BCE onward	Bronze	One-third as
Quadrans	c. 3rd century BCE onward	Bronze	Quarter as
Sextans	c. 3rd century BCE onward	Bronze	One-sixth as
Uncia	c. 3rd century BCE onward	Bronze	One-twelfth as

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Republican Silver & Gold

Series / Type	Approx. Date Range	Metal	Description	Notes
Denarius	from c. 211 BCE	Silver	Primary silver coin	Backbone of system
Quinarius	from c. 211 BCE	Silver	Half denarius
Sestertius (silver)	c. 211–late 2nd century BCE	Silver	Quarter denarius	Short-lived; later reintroduced as brass denomination under Augustus
Victoriatus	c. 211–170s BCE	Silver	Reduced-weight trade coin	Circulated mainly in Greek regions
Aureus	late Republic	Gold	High-value coin	Limited and irregular before standardization under Augustus

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Early Imperial Coinage

Series / Type	Date Range	Metal	Description	Notes
Aureus	27 BCE–early 4th century CE	Gold	Standard gold coin	Gradually replaced by solidus in 4th century
Denarius	27 BCE–3rd century CE	Silver	Main silver coin	Debased over time
Sestertius	1st–3rd century CE	Brass	Large denomination	Iconic coin
Dupondius	1st–3rd century CE	Brass	Double as
As	1st–3rd century CE	Copper	Base unit
Quadrans	1st–early 2nd century CE	Copper	Small denomination	Production declines significantly after early 2nd century

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Crisis of the Third Century

Series / Type	Date Range	Metal	Description	Notes
Antoninianus	from 215 CE	Silver/billon	Double denarius	Rapid debasement
Double Sestertius	c. 260s CE	Bronze	Enlarged denomination	Very limited issue, mainly under Postumus

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Tetrarchic & Constantinian Reform

Series / Type	Date Range	Metal	Description	Notes
Argenteus	from c. 294 CE	Silver	High purity reform coin
Follis (Nummus)	from c. 294 CE	Bronze	Large reform bronze	“Follis” is a modern term; ancient name uncertain
Solidus	early 4th century onward	Gold	New gold standard	Introduced by Constantine; gradually replaces aureus

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Late Roman Coinage

Series / Type	Date Range	Metal	Description	Notes
Semissis	4th–5th century CE	Gold	Half solidus
Tremissis	4th–5th century CE	Gold	Third solidus
Siliqua	4th–5th century CE	Silver	Small silver coin
Miliarense	4th–5th century CE	Silver	Larger silver coin
AE1–AE4	Late Empire	Bronze	Size-based bronze system	Modern classification

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Provincial Coinage

Series / Type	Date Range	Metal	Description	Notes
Tetradrachm	Republic–late 3rd century CE	Silver/billon	Major eastern coin	Some issues (e.g., Alexandria) continue until Diocletian’s reform (~294 CE)
Drachm	Republic–Imperial	Silver	Standard regional coin
Cistophorus	Asia Minor	Silver	Regional system
Provincial Bronze	Republic–Imperial	Bronze	Civic coinage	Extremely diverse

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Special & Ceremonial Issues

Series / Type	Date Range	Metal	Description	Notes
Medallions	Imperial	Various	Presentation pieces
Multipla	Imperial	Gold/silver	Multi-value coins
Contorniates	4th–5th century CE	Bronze	Medal-like tokens