Roman Sestertius Value Guide

The Roman Sestertius was the premier large-format brass coin used for daily commerce and imperial propaganda throughout the Roman Empire. This specific orichalcum specimen, likely a metal detecting find from the 1st or 2nd century AD, showcases the heavy 'field find' encrustation typical of ancient buried currency.

What Is Roman Sestertius Worth?

The typical price range for Roman Sestertius is $15 - $25 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The level of environmental encrustation and oxidation which currently obscures the imperial portrait and legends.
• The specific emperor depicted; identification of a rare ruler would significantly increase the $15-$25 baseline.
• The overall weight and thickness of the orichalcum flan, indicating its period of production.
• The potential for professional cleaning to reveal hidden details without damaging the underlying metal.

How to Identify Roman Sestertius?

• Verify the large diameter and heavy weight characteristic of the sestertius denomination compared to smaller dupondii.
• Look for the distinct golden-yellow hue of orichalcum (a zinc-copper alloy) beneath the surface oxidation.
• Examine the heavy environmental patina and encrustation which is consistent with long-term burial in European soil.
• Identify the faint outlines of an imperial portrait or reverse deity typical of the 50-250 AD era despite surface wear.

History of Roman Sestertius

The sestertius was the most iconic large brass coin of the Roman monetary system, used for daily commerce and propaganda. This specimen appears to be a metal detecting find, likely from the 1st or 2nd century AD, featuring the typical heavy patina known as 'river' or 'field' find oxidation which obscures the imperial portrait.