Summary
Copper Sextans issued by the Roman Rebublic, 275-270 BC
Cast in Rome
Physical Description
A cast copper coin (35 mm dia) featuring on the obverse the head of one of the Dioscuri wearing cap facing right; behind, two dots; the reverse depicts the other Dioscuri wearing cap facing left; behind, two dots
Obverse Description
The head of one of the Dioscuri wearing cap facing right; behind, two dots
Reverse Description
The head of the other Dioscuri wearing cap facing left; behind, two dots
Edge Description
plain
Significance
The earliest copper coins of the denomination 'as' weighed one Roman pound (about 329 g.) and were produced by casting from about 280 BC. There were 12 Roman uncia in a Roman pound and 12 uncia coins to the as. This coin is a sextans, sixth of an as or 2 uncia, hence the denomination mark of two beads shown on both sides of the coin.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
275-270 BC
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Issued By
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Deity Depicted
Dioscuri Twins (Castor & Pollux) (Ancient Gods), Ancient Roman Republic, 275 BC
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Denomination
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Series
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Material
Copper
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Axis
12
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
35 mm (Outside Diameter), 45.325 g (Weight)
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Shape
Off round
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References
BMC (Italy) Central Italy 24-28 Crawford 18/5
[Book] Poole, Reginald S. 1873. A Catalogue of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Italy., 52-53 Pages
[Book] Crawford, Michael H. 1974. Roman Republican Coinage., 136 Pages
