The sesterce was a Roman Monnaie of use for the ancient period . It was also a Unit of Account as at our time the dollar or the Euro: in the literature Latin E, the large sums (tax inheritances, incomes, Treasury) are expressed in sesterces. It replaces the ace in this role in the middle of (in the first books of Tite Live, the fortune of the citizens or the fines are still evaluated in equivalent of book S of Bronze or libraux ace).
History
Its name comes from its original value: initially it was worth 2 ace and half. Sesterce comes from sowing-tertius , which means “half third” (implied half third ace).Its abbreviation HS in the same beginning: initially IIS is II per two (see Roman Numération) and S sowing i.e. half of ace = 2 aces 1/2, both I having been barred to lead to HS.
Of a value of 2 aces 1/2 the sesterce will go up to 4 aces. Under the Roman Republic, it acts of the very small change of money (smallest of the Roman system, weighing hardly more than one gram; it was emitted only very seldom): starting from Auguste (fine of) which reorganizes all the monetary system, it becomes a large brass coin or Laiton weighing 1/12 of delivers Roman is approximately 27 grams. This metal, more snuffed than the red copper, was called Orichalque by the old ones, term to which they gave readily, by popular etymology, gold copper significance “”.
The letters S.C. frequently present at the reverse of the sesterces mean Senatus Consulto , to recall that the emission of the copper coins was made under the control of the Roman Sénat. Today they are sought by the collectors for their large module and the patinas of various colors which make iridescent the surface of their metal.
Sources
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