The siliqua was introduced as new silver coin in the monetary reform of Costantine.
In addition to the siliqua, was introduced the miliarense, with a weight double compared to the siliqua, that was the only silver coin regularly minted in the Byzantine Empire.
It was coined since the sixth century with a weight between 7,5 (light miliarense) and 8,5 grams (heavy miliarense), but it became more commune between the seventh and the ninth century. The ratio between the miliarense and the and the solidus was one solidus for 14 heavy miliarensis or 18 light miliarensis.