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Author Topic: "exagium solidus" weights  (Read 1447 times)

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Offline Warren

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"exagium solidus" weights
« on: January 20, 2017, 01:20:35 pm »
I have seem quite a few "exagium solidus" weights offered for sale. Roma has one
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However, none of them weigh anywhere near the correct weight for a solidus. Solidi weigh c. 4.45 grams when fresh and this particular weight is as heavy as most at 4.16 grams. So, why are they attributed as solidus weights?

Offline djmacdo

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Re: "exagium solidus" weights
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2017, 02:37:11 pm »
Presumably the weights are not the actual full weight of a solidus but rather the minimum weight for a coin to be accepted as a solidus in the market place.  When the Roman government collected taxes, however, it accepted solidi not as coins but only as bullion at weight--they were evidently willing to let the consumer get short weighted but not themselves.

Offline Warren

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Re: "exagium solidus" weights
« Reply #2 on: June 28, 2017, 06:51:50 pm »
The term "exagium solidus" is actually a legend on the reverse of some of these pieces. I searched acsearch and found some. So it is an ancient term used on those pieces.  But, they are often light weight, sometimes very light. Surely 3.66 grams, or even 4.0 grams, is too light to be considered acceptable as a solidus.

Offline glebe

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Re: "exagium solidus" weights
« Reply #3 on: June 29, 2017, 08:18:19 pm »
When the Roman government collected taxes, however, it accepted solidi not as coins but only as bullion at weight--they were evidently willing to let the consumer get short weighted but not themselves.

I'm not questioning your statement, but what is your authority for it?
Does Hendy talk about this?
I also note that in fact most solidi we see in the market seem to be fairly close to full weight, at least up to the 10th century, so the point of these low weight exagium pieces is not clear (to me at least).

Ross G.

 

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