Siliqua

Siliqua is a historical term of significance within the numismatic history of Sardinia and the Roman Empire. As a small, thin silver coin type, the siliqua replaced the argenteus starting in the 4th century AD. The introduction of this currency unit around the year 320 marks a major shift in the Roman financial system. In the Sardinia region, the name now refers to a municipality in the province of Sud Sardegna, deeply rooted in ancient history. The numismatic importance of the siliqua highlights the economic-historical role that such means of payment played in Mediterranean trade relations and on the island of Sardinia during late antiquity.

The history of the siliqua begins in the 4th century AD when it was introduced as a new form of Roman silver currency. Starting around 320 AD, this small and thin coin replaced the previously established argenteus. This numismatic development was part of larger reforms in the late antique Roman monetary system. The use of such silver coins was also significant for administration and trade in Sardinia, as the island served as an important outpost of the empire. The material properties of the siliqua reflect the economic conditions of its time of origin, where the weight and purity of precious metal coins were decisive factors for the stability of trade flow.

Numismatic significance as a Roman silver coinIntroduction as a successor to the argenteus around 320 ADLate antique monetary history