ANONYMOUS (211 BC)

"Denarius" The Roman denarius was introduced in 211 BCE, initially weighing approximately 4.5 grams. The word denarius derives from the Latin deni, meaning "containing ten," as its value was equivalent to 10 asses. However, by the mid-2nd century BCE, its value was re-assessed to 16 asses.

For centuries, the denarius was the most widely used Roman coin, but it gradually diminished in weight and silver content until, in the early 3rd century CE, it was replaced by the double denarius, known as the antoninianus. This coin represents the first denarius minted by Rome during a period of immense demand for currency to pay its legions, heavily engaged in military campaigns against Carthage and Macedonia. As a new monetary unit, it also symbolized the strengthening of Roman statehood.