sestertius: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/ObsoleteFormal, Academic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “sestertius” mean?
An ancient Roman silver coin, originally worth two and a half asses, later a bronze coin used through the Imperial period.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An ancient Roman silver coin, originally worth two and a half asses, later a bronze coin used through the Imperial period.
The term is used in historical, archaeological, and numismatic contexts to refer to a specific denomination of Roman currency and as a standard accounting unit in ancient Rome.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference. The spelling is identical. Pronunciation may show slight variation in secondary stress.
Connotations
Identical connotations of historical/antique reference in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both British and American English, confined to specialist academic discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “sestertius” in a Sentence
The [emperor] minted a sestertius.A sestertius was worth [number] dupondii.Paying [amount] in sestertii.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sestertius” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
American English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in modern business.
Academic
Used in history, archaeology, and numismatics texts to describe Roman economy and coinage.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in numismatics for classifying and cataloging Roman coins.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sestertius”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sestertius”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sestertius”
- Incorrect plural: 'sestertiuses' (correct: 'sestertii').
- Mispronouncing the 'tius' as 'shus' (it's 'shəs').
- Using it to refer to any old coin.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an obsolete historical currency of ancient Rome.
The correct Latin plural is 'sestertii'.
Its value changed over time. Originally 2.5 asses, it later became a large bronze coin. Four sestertii equaled one denarius.
Almost exclusively in history books, academic papers on Roman history, museum displays, or numismatic (coin collecting) catalogs.
An ancient Roman silver coin, originally worth two and a half asses, later a bronze coin used through the Imperial period.
Sestertius is usually formal, academic, historical in register.
Sestertius: in British English it is pronounced /sɛˈstɜː(r)ʃəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /sɛˈstɜːrʃəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth a sestertius (rare, literary: worthless).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SESTER-tius' sounds like 'SAY STERLING' but for ancient Rome, not Britain.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MEASURE OF ANTIQUITY / A STANDARD OF ANCIENT VALUE.
Practice
Quiz
What was the primary period of use for the sestertius?