The Roman Aureus - Moruzzi Numismatica Roma

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The Roman Aureus

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The production of gold coins was sporadic until the conquest of Gaul by Julius Caesar; the great quantity of this precious metal allowed the first issues, particularly abundant, of Roman gold coins called aurei. In reality the first aurei were issued during the Sulla era in 87 B.C., weighting 9.11 grams; after, in 48 B.C. the aurei emissions began with Julius Caesar: the weight of these coins varied from 8.55 to 02 grams. The Augustus monetary reform, which provided for the gold and silver coins mintage under his control, brought the aureus to 7.78 grams. In 65 A.D. Nero, with his new monetary reform, reduced again the value of the aureus to 7.28 grams; later, the other reforms of Caracalla, Aurelian and Diocletian reduced it to little more than 5 grams. With the introduction of the solidus by Constantine, at the beginning of the fourth century, ended the story of a coin  which, as the denarius, brought the image of Roman power throughout the known world. As evidence of its extensive circulation, in India were minted coins imitating the Roman aurei of Septimius Severus era.

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