sesterce

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: ses=terce

CIDE DICTIONARY

sesterce, n. [L. sestertius (sc. nummus), fr. sestertius two and a half; semis half + tertius third: cf. F. sesterce.].

 A Roman coin or denomination of money, in value the fourth part of a denarius, and originally containing two asses and a half, afterward four asses, -- equal to about two pence sterling, or four cents.  [1913 Webster]
" The sestertium was equivalent to one thousand sesterces, equal to £8 17s 1d. sterling, or about $43, before the reign of Augustus. After his reign its value was about £7 16s. 3d. sterling. The sesterce was originally coined only in silver, but later both in silver and brass."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

sesterce, n. (also sestertius) (pl. sesterces or sestertii) an ancient Roman coin and monetary unit equal to one quarter of a denarius.

Etymology

L sestertius (nummus coin) = 21/2 f. semis half + tertius third