The Latin word asper originally meant "rough", but had gradually acquired the connotation of "fresh" or "freshly minted", i.e. not worn smooth by use, and, especially when referring to silver, "white", by the imperial period.
Kata Latin asper awalnya berarti "kasar", tetapi secara berangsur-angsur memperoleh konotasi "segar" atau "baru dicetak", yaitu tidak dipakai dengan lancar, dan, terutama ketika mengacu pada perak, "putih", pada periode kekaisaran.