Around the year 211 BC the Roman currency was fundamentally reformed. The weight of the bronze as, which had hitherto been the Roman standard coin, was significantly reduced. While the old asses weighed around 270 grams, this one has a weight of less than 23 grams.
Instead of the bronze asses, silver denarii were issued as the new standard coins of the Roman currency. They were divided into 10 new asses, which was indicated by an X as mark of value. The asses themselves were still marked with an I, their original declaration of value; this coin has the mark on both sides.