Delineation of Numismatic Science

As far as the shape of the coins is concerned, the most common and customary, which is also the most suitable and perfect, is the round shape: sometimes, however, the shape is also angular and τετράγωνος four-cornered/square, and sometimes oblong.

Regarding the origin and progress of numismatic science among the Romans specifically, the Romans, when they needed other metals, at first used raw bronze metal, and the as libralis pound-weight as (bronze coin) and the dupondius two-pound coin, named from its weight, were weighed out among them: hence arose the Latin words dispensator steward/distributor, expensæ expenses, impenſæ outlays, pendere to pay/weigh, stipendium wages/soldier's pay. See AULUS GELLIUS, Attic Nights, Book XX, Chapter I. PLINY, Natural History, Book XXXIII, Chapter III.