Find Spot record 8600/24 - Roman coin from the Dee

Denarius of Octavian (44-27 BC) recovered from the crook of the Dee at the Meadows in 1980. Octavian, better known as Augustus was the founder of the Roman Empire and its first Emperor ruling from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD. He also held a number of other names, however, including Octavius (between 63 and 44 BC), Octavian (between 44 and 27 BC) and Augustus (between 27 BC to 14 AD). The values of Roman coins changed during the course of the Republic and Empire. The basic unit was an as, a bronze coin originally weighing twelve ounces. Dupondii were worth approximately two asses, and denarii were silver coins worth approximately ten asses. There was also a slightly less common coin, a sestertius, which was worth a quarter of a denarius, or two and a half asses. Later on in the Empire the aureus was introduced, a gold coin which was worth 25 denarii.