Ses"terce (?), n. [L. sestertius (sc. nummus), fr. sestertius two and a half; semis half + tertius third: cf. F. sesterce.] Rom. Antiq.
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.
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.
© Webster 1913.