Numismatics is the study of coins. What did coins tell us about a people? Advanced enough to have a currency system. Rich enough to have metals to make the coins. Had a stable enough for their coins to be considered of value. What purpose besides monetary value did coins have? Effective form of propaganda and advertisement.
The three major coins: Aureus- Gold Denarius- Silver - Worth 1/25 of an aureus Sestertius- Bronze – Worth ¼ of a denarius As- Copper - Worth ¼ of a sestertius Standard daily wage for a laborer was one denarius. Today's daily wage for a minimum wage worker is $60 or around $100 for a skilled worker.
Kleiner, Fred S. A History of Roman Art. Victoria: Thomson/Wadsworth, Print.
From the rooftop of an Etruscan temple. 510 BCE. Made of terracotta that was brightly painted, some color still remains.
Kleiner, Fred S. A History of Roman Art. Victoria: Thomson/Wadsworth, Print.
500 to 480 BCE. Made of Bronze. Not made by the Romans. This was created by the Etruscans. Romulus and Remus may have been added later.
Pg 62 Kleiner, Fred S. A History of Roman Art. Victoria: Thomson/Wadsworth, Print.