HS

  • HS is the abbreviation for the Roman Coin called the Sestertius.
  • A Sestertius was a small silver Roman Coin which was in use between c.211 BCE and 301 CE. Most Roman values for Goods and Income were given in Sestertii.

Description

  • Introduction (c.211 BCE)
    • Introduced in c.211 BCE as 1/4 of a Denarius, and so 1/100th of an Aureus.
  • Augustus (27 BCE-14 CE)
    • He reformed the Coinage in 23 BCE, and the Sestertius was changed into a large Brass coin, valued at 1/100th of the Aureus.
  • Nero (54-68 CE)
    • He produced some of the finest engraved Sestertii between 64-68 CE.
  • Hadrian (117-138 CE)
  • End (301 CE)
    • It remained in production until 301 CE.

Roman Coin List

  • Roman Coins were produced by the Roman Republic from c.300 BCE and continued until the Fall of the Roman Empire in 476 CE.

Sestercius’ value (2nd century CE)

  • 1 Denarius (Den) = 4 Sesterces (HS)
  • Unskilled slaves cost around 500 Denarii (2,000 Sestercii).
  • Skilled slaves cost between 1,500-2,000 Denarii (6-8,000 Sestercii).
  • A Roman Legionary received 300 Denarii per annum (1,200 Sestercii).

 

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