The uncia (Latin, "twelfth part") was a Roman unit of length (equivalent to an inch, one-twelfth of a pes or foot) and of weight (equivalent to an ounce, one-twelfth of a libra or pound).
Republican coin
By derivation, it was also the name of a bronze coin valued at one-twelfth of an as produced during the Roman Republic. The uncia had a theoretical weight of about 27 grams under the libral standard and was produced occasionally towards the beginning of Roman cast bronze coinage. Obverse types of the uncia include a knucklebone (ca. 289–245 BC), a barleycorn (ca. 280–245 BC), and the helmeted bust of Roma (from ca. 240 BC).
Empire coin
In imperial times the uncia was briefly revived under Trajan (98–117) and Hadrian (117–138). This coin was about 11–14 mm in diameter and weighed about 0.8–1.2 grams. It featured the bust of the emperor on the obverse with no inscription and "SC" (for Senatu Consulto) in a wreath on the reverse. If this issue belonged to the imperial system, meaning it was not a provincial piece, it would be an uncia. This issue may have been made only for circulation in the East.
See also
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Uncia |
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
