aes signatum
Roman coin
Quick Summary
Aes signatum was an ancient form of Roman currency. It consisted of bronze bars, typically stamped with an animal figure. These bars were used as a metal currency in Rome and Italy, predating true coinage.12
The use of aes signatum represented a transitional phase between earlier, unworked bronze lumps (aes rude) and standardized, cast coins (aes grave). While lacking a specific mark of value, these stamped bars served as a recognized medium of exchange. The term aes signatum literally translates to "marked bronze".231
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