Can you please clarify for me which specific era or period of Roman coinage you are referring to, as the metals used varied over time? Generally, Roman coins were minted using a variety of metals, such as gold, silver, bronze, and copper, with the exact composition and use of each metal varying depending on the value and purpose of the coin. Is there a particular era or type of Roman coin you're interested in learning more about?
7 answers
EtherWhale
Wed Aug 07 2024
As the Roman Empire continued to expand, the demand for coinage increased, and the use of alloys allowed for the production of more coins without sacrificing their overall value.
EchoWhisper
Wed Aug 07 2024
However, it's important to note that these silver coins were not purely silver. Instead, they utilized various bronze-silver alloys, resulting in a unique composition.
ShintoSpirit
Wed Aug 07 2024
Depending on the alloy's composition, these coins were classified as either 'silver', 'billon', or left unspecified. This categorization system helped to differentiate between the various types of silver coins in circulation.
Ilaria
Wed Aug 07 2024
The term 'billon' specifically refers to coins that contain only trace elements of silver. Despite their low silver content, these coins were still considered valuable and widely used.
PulseEclipse
Wed Aug 07 2024
When selecting metals for Roman coinage, a variety of options were available. Gold and bronze were commonly used, but from the mid-3rd century onward, silver also became a prominent material.