sesterce

[ses-turs]

noun

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

sesterce

/ sɛˈstɜːtɪəs, ˈsɛstɛːs /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sesterce¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sesterce¹

C16: from Latin sēstertius a coin worth two and a half asses, from sēmis half + tertius a third

Example Sentences

The Roman silver sesterce, worth about 21/8 pence or 4.2 American cents, was no doubt used by Agricola merely to indicate an infinitesimal quantity.

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Oh, who knows the pain Which rears up horse-like in a brave Etruscan heart When all things--all things--all things tend to poverty, And the horror of the Empty in the pocket dwells Where once the sesterce gaily by the denar rang!

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"It must only be for a small stake—a single sesterce," said the infatuated youth, quaffing a goblet of wine.

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He lured him on to ostentatious extravagance of expenditure, often allowing him to win large sums at dice to replenish his depleted purse, and again winning from him every sesterce, and binding the Greek's fortunes more firmly to his own by lending him large sums, yet demanding usurious interest.

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The Abbreviations used by the Romans to express these various kinds of money, were, for the As, L.—for the Sesterce, L. L. S. or H. S.—for the Quinary, V. or λ.—for the Denarius, X. or :!:

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