Siliqua

The Siliqua (plural siliquae) is the modern name given to a small silver coin introduced around AD 315 under the reign of Constantine I. Unfortunately, ancient sources do not tell us what these coins were referred to in ancient times, and modern convention applies the term siliqua to most of the 2-3 gram silver issues of the late empire. The first siliqua was struck at around 3.1 grams and over time the weight would be reduced to around 2 grams, with heavy and light issues being issued at various times. Huge quantities would be exported to Britain and used as the first coins of the Saxons, where they would be heavily clipped, removing most if not all the obverse legends, reducing them in weight to circulate alongside of the local sceat coinage. Siliqua are popular with collectors today.