Sextans (coin)

The sextans was an Ancient Roman bronze coin produced during the Roman Republic valued at one-sixth of an as (2 unciae).^[1][2] An as was roughly 324 grams in weight, thus leaving the sextans at about 54 grams. However, the effects of the Second Punic War on the Republic's economy resulted in a reduction in weight, where the as reduced to about 50 grams, resulting in the sextans weighing about 8 grams.^[3] The most common design for the sextans was the bust of Mercury and two pellets (indicating two unciae) on the obverse and the prow of a galley on the reverse. Earlier types depicted a scallop shell, a caduceus, or other symbols on the obverse.^[4]

Sextans picturing Romulus and Remus suckling the she-wolf, with an eagle on the reverse, and the two dots representing the value of 2 unciae (217-215 BC)

See also

• Roman currency