What Was an As?

The as was one of Rome's oldest denominations. It emerged during the early Roman Republic as a large cast bronze coin known today as aes grave ("heavy bronze"). These earliest libral asses were struck to a standard of approximately one Roman pound, although that standard was repeatedly reduced as Rome's monetary system evolved.

Over the centuries, the as underwent dramatic changes. What began as a heavy cast bronze coin gradually became a much smaller struck copper coin that circulated throughout the Roman Empire alongside denominations such as the dupondius, sestertius, and denarius. Despite these changes, the as remained the basic bronze unit of Roman currency for centuries.

Why Was the As So Important?

The as was the coin of everyday life. Unlike gold aurei or silver denarii, which represented substantial sums of money, the as was designed for ordinary purchases. Romans used asses to buy food, pay craftsmen, purchase household goods, and conduct countless small transactions.

Because it circulated so widely, the as became one of the most familiar coins throughout the Empire. Perhaps more than any other Roman denomination, the as reflects the daily economic life of ordinary Romans.

How Did the As Fit into the Roman Monetary System?

Under the early Imperial monetary system established by Augustus, every denomination was defined in relation to the others.

These relationships were not constant throughout Roman history. Earlier Republican coinage operated under different standards before Augustus' monetary reforms established the familiar Imperial system. This hierarchy allowed Romans to conduct transactions ranging from the smallest everyday purchases to the largest commercial exchanges.

Why Did the As Become Smaller?

One of the most fascinating aspects of the as is how dramatically it changed over time. The earliest Republican asses were heavy cast bronze pieces struck to a standard of approximately one Roman pound.

As Rome expanded and its monetary system became more sophisticated, the coin was repeatedly reduced in weight. By the time of Augustus, the as had become a much smaller struck copper coin that was far more practical for everyday commerce. Its changing size reflects the broader evolution of Roman money over several centuries.

What Did an As Look Like?

Imperial asses shared a recognizable set of features.

Because the as was generally struck in copper while the dupondius was struck in orichalcum (a brass alloy), color can often help distinguish the two. Beginning under Nero, many dupondii also featured emperors wearing a radiate crown, while asses generally depicted emperors with a laurel wreath. Although there are exceptions, these visual clues remain useful tools for modern collectors.

Why Are Roman Asses So Affordable?

Unlike Roman gold coins or silver denarii, enormous numbers of asses were struck throughout the Empire. Because they served everyday commerce, many survived in large quantities, making them among the most accessible Roman coins for modern collectors.

Their affordability allows beginners to own genuine coins of emperors such as Augustus, Tiberius, Claudius, Nero, Trajan, or Marcus Aurelius without spending a fortune. For many collectors, the humble as becomes the perfect introduction to Roman numismatics.

Why Collectors Love Asses

Roman asses remain popular for several reasons.

Although often overlooked beside silver and gold denominations, the as tells the story of ordinary Romans more clearly than almost any other Roman coin.

Famous Asses Every Collector Should Know

Among the most desirable asses are those that connect collectors directly to the daily life of the Roman Empire.

Why Did the As Disappear?

As the Roman Empire entered the third century, inflation and repeated monetary reforms transformed Roman currency. Older bronze denominations gradually disappeared as new monetary systems emerged under emperors such as Aurelian and Diocletian.

Although the as eventually vanished from circulation, it had already served Rome for centuries as one of the fundamental building blocks of its monetary system.

Holding History

Holding a Roman as offers a different perspective on ancient history. Unlike an aureus that symbolized imperial wealth or a denarius that paid soldiers, the as represents the daily lives of ordinary Romans. This was the kind of coin that may have passed through a merchant's hands in Pompeii, purchased food in a provincial marketplace, or jingled in the purse of an artisan earning a living under the Empire.

Roman history was shaped not only by emperors and generals, but also by millions of ordinary people whose lives unfolded one small bronze coin at a time.

History wasn't just written. It was minted.