SO´LIDUS
SO´LIDUS (
νόμισμα). The
aurei or gold coins issued by the Roman emperors underwent from the time of
Nero onwards a gradual but irregular reduction in weight, until they
practically ceased to be a measure of value, and gold coin went only by
weight. To remedy this state of things, Constantine introduced a new gold
coinage, of which the pieces weighed 1/72 of
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Gold Solidus.
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a Roman libra, about 70 English grains. The importance of this
issue and its gradually debased successors is shown by the use in our own
time of
soldo, sou, and cognate terms.
[
P.G]