Solidus Coins

According to Jere M. Wickens ("The Production of Ancient Coins" at www.lawrence.edu/dept/art/buerger/essays/production.html), the word "soldier" derives from the Solidus gold coins in which they were paid. Introduced as a replacement for the Aureus by the emperor Constantine in 309-312 AD, the Solidus remained a viable coin into the 10th century in areas once part of the defunct Roman Empire. Like the Aureus, the Solidus was a high-purity coin, a true "piece of gold." The natural softness of gold, while prone to easy wear, produced some of the most beautifully and clearly stamped of all Roman coins. Collectors today still trade in Roman gold coins showing recognizeable portraits of the emperors and the gods they worshipped. Coins minted late in imperial history sometimes show symbols indicating the official and at least partial adoption of Christianity. Their high gold content and still visible detail make these the most prized of Roman coins.