Category:Sesterce

Ses"terce, n. Etym: [l. sestertius (sc. nummus), fr. sestertius two And a half; semis half + tertius third: cf. F. sesterce.] (rom. Antiq.)

Defn: a roman coin or denomination of money, in value the fourth part Of a denarius, and originally containing two asses and a half, Afterward four asses, -- equal to about two pence sterling, or four Cents.

Note: the sestertium was equivalent to one thousand sesterces, equal To £8 17s 1d. sterling, or about $43, before the reign of augustus. After his reign its value was about £7 16s. 3d. sterling. The Sesterce was originally coined only in silver, but later both in Silver and brass.