2018-02-13 Tue

In comparison with its neighbours, the monetary system came late in the Republic of Rome. In the start they issued coins in bronze and silver metals only, gold coins came with the Punic Wars. Romans had a systematic way to mint money. Their mint magistrates’ team was called ‘Tresviri aere argento auro flando feriundo’ meaning ‘three men for casting and striking bronze, silver and gold coins’ in short “Moneyers”.

The main magistrates or moneyers were also known as tresviri monetales. The official documents on the moneyers are not known but the statements made by Pomponius shed some light on it. The entire document refers to three moneyers –a college of three. Later on, a fourth magistrate was added by Julius Caesar in 44 BC, as during this time the mint output doubled due to the reparation for war against Parthia.

These mint magistrates were responsible for issuing coins for the Republic. They were not merely mint worker (monetrii), they actually controlled the whole process of minting. The selection of the design was done by them. The person appointed to this post was to be above the age of 30 years. All the moneyers inscribed their initials on their coins.

The above-shown denarius of Roman republic depicts the initials in exergue of the coin on the reverse side.

During the era of imperial Rome, silver and gold coins were minted under the authority of the king and the bronze coinage was issued on the orders of the Senate.

To know more about republic coinage click here.