The name of the denomination is listed first. (Except AE3 and AE4 are modern designations for denominations whose Roman names we do not know.) They are pictured at scale with one another. Typical measurements are stated below each image. Significant ranges in size for a particular denomination represent changes in standard for the denomination over time, not typical variations within single issues.

The dates supplied represent the range of time through which that denomination was minted. (As they indicate, some denominations began to be issued during the period of the Roman Republic.) The images and legends on the coins, however, represent specific Roman emperors, princes, and imperial women: they as individuals were depicted on Roman coins for much more limited ranges of time. Specific individuals' images were not typically restricted to particular denominations.

Of the coins depicted, the aureus, the solidus, and the tremissis were denominations of gold.

Of the coins depicted, the denarius and the siliqua were silver.

The antoninianus was introduced as an at least notionally silver coin, but over time mint officials increasingly debased the silver with copper, so that by the 270s antoniniani typically had 5% silver content or less. Gravely debased silver as a numismatic material is called billon.

The dupondius was brass.

The sestertius, the as, and of course the AE3 and AE4 were bronze.

The follis was bronze, coated with a very thin layer of silver.