coin Sextans
Object number
LDSAL1230
Production date
230 BC - 226 BC
Production place
Rome (province)
Material
Copper Alloy
Technique
Casting
Dimensions
Diameter: 33mm
Height: 6mm
Weight: 33g
Height: 6mm
Weight: 33g
Location
Burlington House -
Content description
Scallop shell seen from outside; below 'oo' and club
References
Reference (free text)
vol 46
Sextans, with shell obverse and reverse (one impressed into surface, one raised profile), 'oo' and club marks. Rome mint, 230-226 BC. RRC 27.9
Roman republican copper-alloy coins (275-270 BC)
Italy (exact provenance unknown)
Donated on 28th November 1889 by William John Belt Esq MA FSA
This large copper-alloy (bronze) disc is one of the oldest coins in the Society’s collection.
Known to antiquarians as ‘aes grave’ (heavy bronze) these coins were cast rather than struck and are made from copper-alloy (bronze). The different sizes reflect the different denominations of coin. The largest denomination was the as, which originally equated to 1 Roman pound (around 324g). Each denomination was a fraction of an as: the semis a half, triens a third, quadrans a quarter, sextans a sixth and the uncia was a twelfth. The Belt collection contains examples of each denomination: the heaviest coin weighs 397g, while the lightest weighs just 14g. The oldest in the collection date from 280-276 BC, while the newer examples date from 225-217 BC. As these coins were minted by cities or states (rather than Emperors) they show different motifs: these include Gods and Goddesses and an array of animals including horses, boars, dolphins, tortoises and sleeping dogs.
Italy (exact provenance unknown)
Donated on 28th November 1889 by William John Belt Esq MA FSA
This large copper-alloy (bronze) disc is one of the oldest coins in the Society’s collection.
Known to antiquarians as ‘aes grave’ (heavy bronze) these coins were cast rather than struck and are made from copper-alloy (bronze). The different sizes reflect the different denominations of coin. The largest denomination was the as, which originally equated to 1 Roman pound (around 324g). Each denomination was a fraction of an as: the semis a half, triens a third, quadrans a quarter, sextans a sixth and the uncia was a twelfth. The Belt collection contains examples of each denomination: the heaviest coin weighs 397g, while the lightest weighs just 14g. The oldest in the collection date from 280-276 BC, while the newer examples date from 225-217 BC. As these coins were minted by cities or states (rather than Emperors) they show different motifs: these include Gods and Goddesses and an array of animals including horses, boars, dolphins, tortoises and sleeping dogs.