Dupondius Coins
"Dupondius" translates from Latin as "two-pound." Its mammoth weight requires understanding of the Roman system of weights and measures. The as, the lowest denomination of Roman coinage, was originally designed as a one-pound weight; with time, it became a thin copper disk of little weight. The dupondius, twice the value of the as, was intended to be twice as big. But according to www.economicexpert.com and www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/ (both of which contain fascinating histories of coinage and weights), the Roman pound weighed roughly 7/10 of an English pound--still a heavy load to carry for trade or shopping!
It is from the Roman "libra" that we get our "lb." abbreviation for pound. Dupondii were cast from a gold-colored bronze alloy. During Nero's reign (66 AD), double value was indicated by a radiate crown on the emperor's portrait on the coin. This doubling signal was applied to the denarius and sestertius as well, into the third century.
 Roman As Casier Temple Dupondius Bronze Coin 25m Xf US $111.00 |
 Roman Antachia Dupondius Bronze Coin 28m Vf Uncleaned US $70.00 |
 Roman Superb Trajan Dupondius Amazing Bronze Coin Xf  US $60.00
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 Roman Superb Dupondius Amazing Bronze Coin Xf US $111.00
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 Roman Superb Rare Dupondius Amazing Bronze Coin Xf US $160.00
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 Roman Superb Dupondius Amazing Bronze Coin Xf US $77.00
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 Roman Rare Dupondius Amazing Bronze Coin Xf US $111.00
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 Julia Titi Roman Empire Ae Dupondius Coin Reproduction US $15.00
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 Roman Coin Dupondius Of Nerva Fortuna Reverse 494 US $249.00
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