Introduction of sestertius

The sestertius was an ancient Roman coin, introduced around 211 BCE during the Second Punic War as a small silver coin worth a quarter of a denarius. Silver sestertii were soon discontinued, and from the time of Augustus it was produced as a large brass coin, which became the main unit of account in Roman bookkeeping, so that sums of money and wealth were often expressed in sesterces. Its large flat surface made it popular with the Roman mint for portraits of emperors and for detailed reverse designs showing buildings, victories and events. Over the third century CE the value of Roman coinage was weakened by inflation and debasement, and the sestertius ceased to be produced. Many examples survive and are prized by collectors.

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