denarius

American  

[dih-nair-ee-uhs] / dɪˈnɛər i əs /

noun

plural

denarii

1. a silver coin and monetary unit of ancient Rome, first issued in the latter part of the 3rd century b.c., that fluctuated in value and sometimes appeared as a bronze coin.

2. a gold coin of ancient Rome equal to 25 silver denarii; aureus.

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denarius British  

/ dɪˈnɛərɪəs /

noun

1. a silver coin of ancient Rome, often called a penny in translation

2. a gold coin worth 25 silver denarii

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Etymology

Origin of denarius

First recorded in 1565–85; from Latin dēnārius, originally an adjective: “containing ten (asses)”; see origin at denary

Example Sentences

Ms Hardy said they range "across the reign of 14 Emperors and 1 Empress and include a previously unrecorded coin - a denarius of Emperor Tetricus I".

From BBC • Sep. 16, 2023

After 20 years digging up denarius coins on Time Team, he surely knows more than most about the Roman occupation of England.

From The Guardian • Aug. 24, 2015

When Caesar Augustus minted the denarius coin, around 15 A.D., he did so with a decree that it be made almost entirely of silver.

From New York Times • Apr. 30, 2015

In Augustus’s time, a silver coin called a denarius was in use throughout the empire.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

The Senate took the meanest means of revenge, and reduced his official salary to one denarius and a half, or about a shilling a day in English money.

From The Comic History of Rome by Becket, Gilbert Abbott ?