sesterce

American  

[ses-turs] / ˈsɛs tɜrs /

noun

1. a silver coin of ancient Rome, the quarter of a denarius, equal to 2½ asses: introduced in the 3rd century b.c.

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sesterce British  

/ sɛˈstɜːtɪəs, ˈsɛstɛːs /

noun

1. a silver or, later, bronze coin of ancient Rome worth a quarter of a denarius

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Etymology

Origin of sesterce

1590–1600; < Latin sēstertius, equivalent to sēs- half-unit ( see sesqui-) + tertius third (i.e., 2 units and half a 3rd one equal 2½ asses)