Définition

• (heavy bronze) ; also called the Acs Libralis (i.e., pound of bronze), was the first Roman monetary unit. The basis was the As, which in its earliest form weighed an Oscan -- Latin pound of twelve ounces, derived from a standard originally brought to Italy by the Phocaeans. It is of a lenticular shape and the obverse bears the portrait of Janus bifrons and the figure 1 as an indication of the value. The re- verse has the prow of a galley, probably indicative of the maritime power of Rome, which had been greatly developed by the Decemviri (B.C. 452-450), to which period these coins are usually assigned. The best and latest authorities, however, place them a century later.

  The divisions of the As are the Deunx or Iabus, 11 ounces Dextans or Decunx, 10 " Dodrans or Dotlrns, 9 " Bes or Bessis, 8 " Septunx, 7 " Semis, Semisxis, or Sexcunx, 6 " Quincunx, Quicunx, or Cingus, 5 " Triens, Triente, or Trias, 4 " Quadrans, Quadrant, or Terunela, 3 " Sextans, Sextaute, or Scxtas, 2 " Sescunx, 1 1/2 " Uncia, 1 " Semuneia 1/2 "

  The multiples are the Dupondius, Tri- pondius, and Decussis; all of these are de- scribed under their respective names.

  The As was reduced in weight as follows : Primitive Libral, B.C. 450 Twelve ounces Semilibral, B.C. 338 Six ounces Sextantal, B.C. 26S Two ounces Uncial. B.C. 217 One ounce Semi-Uncial, B.C. 89 Half of an ounce

La source

• Frey's Dictionary (American Journal of Numismatics, Vol. 50, 1916)

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