Solidus coin

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A solidus (the Latin word for solid) was originally a gold coin issued by the Romans. It was introduced by Constantine I in the AD 309-10, and was used through the Byzantine Empire until the 10th century AD. The coin replaced the aureus as the main gold coin of the Roman Empire.

The name solidus had previously been used by Diocletian (284-305) for the gold coin that he introduced, which is different from the solidus introduced by Constantine. The coin was struck at a theoretical value of 1/72 of a Roman pound (about 4.5 grams). Solidi were wider and thinner than the aureus, with the exception of some dumpy issues from the Byzantine Empire. The weight and fineness of the solidus remained relatively constant throughout its long production, with few exceptions. Fractions of the solidus known as semisses (half-solidi) and tremissis (one-third solidi) were also produced.

Contents

1 Impact on world currencies

1.1 Peru
1.2 France
1.3 United Kingdom

2 See also

Impact on world currencies

Variations on the word solidus gave rise to a number of currency units:

Peru

The current currency of Peru, is the sol.

France

In France the sol was the name for a 12-denier coin, one-twentieth of the livre tournois (Tournois pound). After decimalization in France, the sou became the name for a five-centime coin, one-twentieth of the French franc.

United Kingdom

Until decimalization in the United Kingdom in 1971, the abbreviation s., from solidus, was used to represent a shilling, worth one-twentieth of a Pound Sterling.