Sesterce

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Sesterce \Ses"terce\, n. [L. sestertius (sc. nummus), fr.
     sestertius two and a half; semis half + tertius third: cf. F.
     sesterce.] (Rom. Antiq.)
     A Roman coin or denomination of money, in value the fourth
     part of a denarius, and originally containing two asses and a
     half, afterward four asses, -- equal to about two pence


     sterling, or four cents.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The sestertium was equivalent to one thousand
           sesterces, equal to [pounds]8 17s 1d. sterling, or
           about $43 (in 1900), before the reign of Augustus.
           After his reign its value was about [pounds]7 16s. 3d.
           sterling. The sesterce was originally coined only in
           silver, but later both in silver and brass.
           [1913 Webster]