The Aureus was valued at 25 silver denarii and was about the same diameter, but heavier due to the differing densities of gold and silver. Julius Caesar standardised the weight at 1/40th of a Roman pound (8.18g), but as with anything in the financial world, they gradually got smaller and smaller until by the time of the Emperor Constantine, they were replaced by the Solidus, a coin weighing only 4.55 grams. Analysis of the Roman aureus shows the purity level usually to have been near to 24 carat gold in excess of 99%.

Because the Roman government issued base-metal coinage but refused to take anything but gold or silver coinage in payment for taxes, inflation was rampant, Along with the debasement of the silver denarius which by the mid 3rd century AD was virtually devoid of actual silver, the aureus became worth more and more relatively speaking. In 301, one gold aureus was worth 833⅓ denarii; by 324, the same aureus was worth 4,350 denarii. In 337, after Constantine converted to the solidus, one solidus was worth 275,000 denarii and finally, by 356, one solidus was worth 4,600,000 denarii. Echos of today’s farcical fiat systems perhaps…

Niue presented new issue depicting aureus on reverses (first and second coins). 

The third coin Aureus Iustitia

Obverse: In the centre effigy of the Queen Elizabeth II. Around the coin inscriptions: “ELIZABETH II”, “NIUE”, “ONE DOLLAR”, “15,5g” (weight of the coin), “2014″and the hallmark “Ag999,9″.

Reverse: On the right hand side of the coin reverse there are the replicas of the Aureus – a gold coin from the ancient Rome, minted during emperor Vespasian (lat. Vespasianus) period (69–79). On the obverse of the ancient coin a profile of the emperor Vespasian, on the reverse of the ancient coin the sitting goddess of justice, with scepter and patera. On the left side of the coin a modern personification of blindfolded justice with a sword and a balance. Inscription (a Latin phrase): “Ubi civitas ibi ius” (“Where the state there the law”).