Denarius

Silver (argentum) · ~3.4g · ~90% pure

211 BC – AD 244

The backbone of the Roman economy for five centuries. Worth four sestertii, the denarius was the coin of everyday trade, army pay, and taxation. Its slow debasement from near-pure silver under Augustus to bronze with a silver wash by the 270s AD tells the story of Rome's economic crisis in one handful of coins.

Specifications

Metal	Silver (argentum)
Typical weight	~3.4g
Typical purity	~90%
Era	211 BC – AD 244

Silver Purity by Emperor — The Debasement Story

The denarius began under Augustus at ~97% silver. Over three centuries, successive emperors reduced its silver content to fund wars and donatives. By the reign of Gallienus (~AD 260) it contained barely 5% silver — a coin in name only. This debasement is the single most important economic story in Roman numismatics.

97%

97%

97%

96%

93%

90%