Roman currency for most of Roman history consisted of gold, silver, bronze, orichalcum, and copper coinage. From its introduction during the Republic, in the third century BC, through Imperial times,
Denarius of Marcus Aurelius. Legend: IMP. M. ANTONINVS AVG. TR. P. XXV.
Bronze aes signatum produced by the Roman Republic after 450 BC
Coins of the Roman Republic and Empire from Cassell's History of England, Vol. I
The rapid decline in silver purity of the antoninianus
The aureus was the main gold coin of ancient Rome from the 1st century BC to the early 4th century AD, when it was replaced by the solidus. This type of coin was sporadically issued during the Republi
Roman currency
…this war and uncertainty, and the silver content of the antonianus fell to only 2%, losing almost any appearance of being silver. During this time the aureus remained slightly more stable, before it too became smaller and more base (lower gold content and higher base metal content) before Diocletian's reform…
Aureus minted in 193 by Septimius Severus to celebrate Legio XIV Gemina, the legion that proclaimed him emperor
Issue worth 40 (XXXX) asses, 211 BC. The obverse depicts the god Mars.
Issue minted by Sulla, 82 BC. The obverse depicts Roma.
Issue minted by Caesar, 45 BC. The obverse depicts Victory.