ROMAN REPUBLIC. Aes Grave. Libral Series. Rome, c. 225-217 BC. AE Cast As, 267.80g (65mm, 12h).Head of Janus; below, horizontal mark of value I; all on a raised disk / Prow right; above, mark of value I; all on a raised disk References: Cr. 35/1. Vecchi ICC 74. HN Italy 337. T.V. 51 Grade: A superb example. Very minor casting flaw on obverse at 12h. Lovely earthen dark green patina. About EF Price: $5,750 rr1194 For a video presentation, click here: Due to the small amounts of silver available, the first coins used by the early Republic c. 280 BC were made of bronze. This likely occurred as Roman conquered central Italy where bronze was plentiful. The coins of the period were cast, not struck. Aes Grave were nothing like the Greek coins that had been struck for the previous 350 years. The coinage was based on the libral standard where the As referred to a coin and the weight. One As equaled one Roman pound (or twelve uncia (ounces)). The weight standard changed around 265 BC when the As equaled 10 uncia. This period was known as the light libral standard. The Sextan was 1/6 the value of 1 As. These were issued in large quantities until the introduction of the denarius about 210 BC.
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