Imperial coinage began with Octavian Augustus, who in 15 BC established the empire's monetary system until the crisis of the third century. The emperor minted only gold and silver coins and delegated copper coins to the Senate, on which the SC (Senatus Consulto) symbol appears.

The coins circulated throughout the imperial territory and fulfilled both economic and propaganda functions.

Aureus: A high-value gold coin used for major transactions and official payments. Its weight and purity varied over time, but it was a symbol of wealth and power.

Denarius: A silver coin, the most common during the early centuries of the Empire. It was used in everyday transactions and its design often featured the emperor on the obverse and propaganda motifs on the reverse.

Antoninianus: (Also called the double denarius). Created by Caracalla (211-217) as a result of the economic crisis, with a value of two denarii but less silver than the denarius. The emperor's bust appears with a radiant crown.

Sestertius: Initially made of silver and later of bronze, it was a large coin of intermediate value, widely used in daily life and to pay soldiers.

Dupondius: Bronze coin, of less value than a sestertius, used in minor transactions.

Ace: Copper or bronze coin, of low value, intended for small purchases and widely used among the population.

Semis: The semis was a Roman bronze coin worth half an as, and usually bearing the head of Saturn and the letter "S" as a distinctive mark.

Follis: A Roman bronze coin with a thin silver overlay, introduced during Diocletian's monetary reform around 294 AD, with an initial weight of 8–10 grams and approximately 4% silver . Its name, meaning "purse" in Latin, refers to the sealed sacks in which coins were kept, and over time its size and silver content decreased markedly.

The centenionalis (or centenional): A bronze coin minted in the Late Roman Empire, introduced around 330 AD under Constantine I to replace the devalued follis; it initially weighed around 3 grams and its value, although not entirely clear, was considered equivalent to one-hundredth of a silver silique. Its circulation was short, as it quickly lost value and ceased to be issued after the monetary reform of Theodosius in 395 AD.

Cuadrans: The quadrans, or quadrant, was the lowest value Roman coin, made of bronze, representing a quarter of an as and identified by the head of Hercules and three dots in its design.