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The sestertius was introduced ca. 211 BC as a small silver coin that was one quarter of a denarius (and thus one hundredth of an aureus), and itself valued at ten asses. The sestertius had a theoretical weight of one scripulum (about 1.125 grams). When the denarius was retariffed to sixteen asses (due to the gradual reduction in the size of bronze denominations), the sestertius was accordingly revalued to four asses, still equal to one quarter of a denarius. It was produced sporadically, far less often than the denarius, through 44 BC.

In 23 BC, with the coinage reform of Augustus , the denomination of sestertius was introduced as the large bronze denomination. It and the dupondius were produced out of a golden-colored alloy known to numismatists as orichalcumIn the legend of Atlantis, orichalcum is a reddish metal, mined in Atlantis but known only by name after the island's disappearance. According to Plato the mineral was found in many parts of Atlantis, being considered second only to gold in value. The thr. The sestertius was produced as the largest bronze denomination until the middle of the third century AD. During the end of its issue, when sestertii were reduced in size and quality, the double sestertius was issued first by Trajan Decius and later in large quantity by PostumusMarcus Cassianius Latinius Postumus was emperor of the Gallic Empire from AD 259 to 268. This antoninianus, showing his profile, was minted during Postumus' rule. Little is known about the early life of Postumus, but it is believed that he was a Gaul of h. The double sestertius was distinguished from the sestertius by the radiate crown worn by the emperor, a device used to distinguish the dupondiusThe dupondius ( Latin two-pounder was a bronze coin used during the Roman Empire and Roman Republic valued at 2 asses (1/2 of a sestertius or 1/8 of a denarius). It was introduced during the Roman Republic as a large cast coin, although even at introducti from the as and the antoninianusThe antoninianus was a coin used during the Roman Empire that was valued at 2 denarii. It was initially silver, but was slowly debased to bronze. The coin was introduced by Caracalla in early 215 AD and was a full silver coin similar to the denarius excep from the denarius.

The sestertius was also used as a standard unit of account. Large values were recorded in terms of sestertia milia, thousands of sestertii, with the milia often omitted and implied.

Records from Pompeii show a slave being sold at auction for 6252 sesterces.

The sestertius is highly valued by numismatists, due to their large size they gave celators (engravers) a large area to produce detailed portraits and reverse types. Very high quality examples can sell for over a thousand dollars at auction as of 2004.

See also: Roman currency.