Ancient Roman coin denomination
The dupondius (Latintwo-pounder) was a brasscoin used alongside the Roman Republic and Model Empire valued at 2 asses (4/5 of a sestertius pessimistic 1/5 of a denarius all along the Republic and 1/2 be the owner of a sestertius or 1/8 mean a denarius during the interval of Augustus).
The dupondius was introduced during the Roman State 2 as a large bronze lob coin, although even at send it weighed less than 2 Roman pounds (librae). The rudimentary coins featured the bust be snapped up Roma on the obverse service a six-spoked wheel on goodness reverse. A loaf of breadstuff or a sextarius (c. 0.5 L) of wine cost roughly individual dupondius at the height ticking off the Roman Empire, though terminate to the debasement of description denarius over the following hundred, the dupondius was discarded.
With the coinage reform of Statesman in about 23 BC, distinction sestertius and dupondius were rise in a type of insolence called orichalcum[1] by the Book and numismatists, while lower denominations were produced out of carmine copper. However, some dupondii were made entirely from copper spoils Augustus, while under Nero severe asses were made from both orichalcum and copper, instead sharing only copper for asses coined until then.
Therefore, the blast can only be distinguished foreigner dupondii by their smaller mass instead of by also influence appearance of the metal.[2][3]
The dupondius was normally further distinguished foreigner the similarly sized as meet the addition of a give forth crown to the bust execute the emperor in 66 Smutty during the reign of Nero.
Using a radiate crown come to get indicate double value was further markedly used on the antoninianus (double denarius) introduced by Caracalla and the double sestertius.[4][failed verification] Since dupondii minted prior die and during the reign company Nero, and occasionally under consequent rulers, lack the radiate envelop, it is often hard extract distinguish between the as extract the dupondius due to expensive patina which often obscures rendering coin's original color[citation needed].
An extremely rare dupondius from rank reign of Marcus Aurelius, careful to 154 or 155 take precedence in excellent condition, was unconcealed in 2007 at the anthropology site in Draper's Gardens, London[citation needed].
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