§ OF THE ÆS GRAVE.
(1) The æs grave was the earliest money used in Rome and throughout the central and northern parts of the Italian peninsula. It consisted of the As (or unit) and its divisions and multiples, as follows:—
| As. | Obv. Head of Janus; | Rev. Prow of ship. | Mark of value | I |
| Semis (1/2 As). | Obv. Hd. of Jupiter | " | " | S |
| Triens (1/3 As). | " " Pallas | " | " | .... |
| Quadrans (1/4 As). | Obv. Head of Hercules | " | " | ... |
| Sextans (1/6 As). | " " Mercury | " | " | .. |
| Uncia (1/12 As). | " " Roma | " | " | . |
MULTIPLES OF THE AS.
| Dupondius (2 Asses). | O. Hd. of Pallas; | R. Prow of ship. | Mark of value | II |
| Tripondius (3 Asses). | " | " | " | III |
| Decussis (10 Asses). | O. Head of Roma. | " | " | X |
The above types are those of the coins of Rome itself. The æs grave of the other Italian states had different types.
The As first issued in Rome is said to have weighed one pound, hence it was called the As Libralis. The earliest known specimens of the Libral series date from about B.C. 400. As time went on, it was gradually reduced in weight, at first to 4 ounces, about B.C. 268 (Triental Reduction), and subsequently, B.C. 217, to 1 ounce (Uncial Reduction), and somewhat later even to ½ an ounce.