Roman As (This Exhibit)
Material: Copper
Design on Obverse (Heads): Antoninus Pius (138–161 CE)
As (Roman coin)
Reading Time: 0:12 min
The as (plural: asses), was a bronze, and later copper, coin used during the Roman Republic and Roman Empire.
During the Republic, the as featured the bust of Janus on the obverse, and the prow of a galley on the reverse.
As (Roman coin)
Reading Time: 0:50 min
The Roman as was a basic bronze coin in ancient Rome, first introduced around 280 BCE. It was initially valued at one pound of bronze, and its weight gradually decreased over time. The as was widely used in daily transactions and had significant cultural and economic importance in the Roman Republic and Empire.
The coin featured various designs over its long history, with the most common early version depicting the bust of the Roman god Janus on the obverse (front) and an image of an axe or a ship’s prow on the reverse. As the Roman state grew, the designs evolved, with later coins often showing portraits of emperors or gods, as well as symbols of Roman power and authority.
Throughout its use, the value of the as fluctuated, especially as the Roman Empire’s economy faced inflation and debasement of its currency. However, it remained an essential part of Roman currency until it was eventually replaced by other forms of coinage in the late Empire.
Its legacy endures, as the as serves as a symbol of early Roman monetary history.
Roman As
Reading Time: 0:55 min
The bronze Roman As held a significant place in the history of ancient Rome. It was introduced as a standard unit of currency during the early Republican period (around the 3rd century BCE).
The As was initially made of bronze. It depicted the prow of a galley on the reverse side, symbolising Rome’s maritime power. On the obverse side, it displayed the head of the Roman god Janus, representing beginnings and transitions.
Over time, the design of the As evolved, featuring different symbols and emperors. The As remained in circulation for several centuries, witnessing the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, and serving as a tangible representation of Rome’s economic and political influence.
The As was the first Roman coin. Initially, the As was produced as cast coinage, then as hammered coinage.
The first series of the As was the Janus-Mercury series, based on the images of the two divinities depicted on the coin. The mark “I” on the As represented the value of the coin (“one As”).
The last series of the As was based on the “wheel” design; a six-spoked wheel was depicted on the reverse side.
