a Roman denomination made of orichalcum (q.v.), worth one-fourth of a denarius (q.v.).

(1) a silver coin originally equal to two-and-a-half asses; one quarter of a denarius. (2) a brass coin introduced by Augustus, equal to four asses, or one quarter of a denarius

A bronze coin of Imperial Rome. It became the recognized money of account and is frequently referred to as the "nummus."

The sestertius, or sesterce, was an ancient Roman coin. During the Roman Republic it was a small silver coin and during the Roman Empire it was a large bronze coin. The name sestertius is a combination of semis, meaning half, and tres, meaning three, which when combined with an adjectival termination means three with the last equal half resulting in two and a half, the coin's original value in asses.