Dupondius
The
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 introduction it weighed less than 2 pounds. The coin featured the bust of
Roma on the obverse and a six-spoked
wheel on the reverse. This denomination was not minted ofter during the
Republician Era. With the
coinage reform of Augustus in
23 BC, the sestertius and dupondius were produced in a golden colored alloy of bronze called
orichalcum by numismatists, while lower denominations were produced out of reddish copper. The dupondius was further distinguished from the similarly sized
as with the addition of a radiate crown to the bust of the emperor in
66 AD during the realm of
Nero. Using a radiate crown to indicate double value was also used on the
antoninianus (double denarius) and
double sestertius. The dupondius was manufactured until the late 3rd century AD.
Since dupondii minted prior to and during the realm of
Nero lack the radiate crown, it is often hard to distinguish between the
as and the dupondius due to heavy
patination which obscures the coin's original color.
See also: Roman currency.
