What are ancient Roman coins called?

There is no contemporary term to refer to all Roman coins, but common denominations include the gold aureus, the silver denarius and the brass sestertius. Romans first minted coins in the late 4th century B.C. and used many different types over the centuries.

Instead of coins, the early Roman Republic used bronze weights. This system evolved into the bronze coin called an "as." The silver denarius (plural: denarii) was first minted around 211 B.C. and remained in use for five centuries. Emporor Augustus reformed the monetary system at the start of the Imperial period, bringing the gold aureus into wider use and introducing the brass sestertius and dupondius.