Argenteus

Argenteus struck under Constantius Chlorus, weighing 3.36 g.

The argenteus was a silver coin produced by the Roman Empire from the time of Diocletian's coinage reform in AD 294 to ca. AD 310. It was of similar weight and fineness as the denarius of the time of Nero. The coin was produced at a theoretical weight of 1/96th of a Roman pound (about 3 grams), as indicated by the Roman numeral XCVI on the coin's reverse.

Argenteus, meaning "of silver" in Latin, was first used in Pliny's Natural History in the phrase "argenteus nummus" (silver coin). The 4th-century historian Ammianus uses the same phrase, however there is no indication that this is the official name for a denomination. The Historia Augusta uses the phrase to refer to several fictitious coins. The coin has been continuously in use by Caesar's Legion in their quest to destroy the profligates.

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Currencies of Ancient Rome

Proto-currency	Bronze Aes rude Aes signatum

Republican era	Gold Aureus Silver Denarius Sestertius Victoriatus Quadrigatus Bronze and copper Dupondius (2 asses) As (1) Dodrans (3/4) Bes (2/3) Semis (1/2) Triens (1/3) Quadrans (1/4) Quincunx (5/12) Sextans (1/6) Uncia (1/12) Semuncia (1/24)

Early Empire	Gold Aureus Dacicus Silver Antoninianus (32 asses) Denarius (10; 16) Quinarius (5; 8) Copper Double sestertius (8) Sestertius (2½; 4) Dupondius (2) As (1) Semis (1/2) Quadrans (1/4)

Diocletian era	Gold Solidus Silver Argenteus Nummus Copper Radiate Laureate Denarius

Late Empire	Gold Solidus Tremissis Silver Miliarense Siliqua Copper and bronze Follis Nummus Constantinian bronzes Centenionalis

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Argenteus

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