The Sesterce: An Ancient Roman Unit of Currency

Sesterce (plural: sestertii) was an ancient Roman unit of currency. It was introduced during the reign of Emperor Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD) and was used until the late 3rd century AD. The sesterce was equal to one-fourth of a denarius, which was the main Roman coin at the time.

The word "sesterce" is derived from the Latin word "sestertius," which means "one-fourth." The sesterce was used for small transactions and was widely circulated throughout the Roman Empire. It was made of bronze and had a low value compared to other Roman coins, but it was widely used and was an important part of everyday life in ancient Rome.

Over time, the value of the sesterce depreciated, and it became less valuable than the denarius. Eventually, the sesterce was phased out and replaced by other forms of currency. Today, sesterces are highly sought after by collectors and can be found in many museums and private collections around the world.