I really do like Flavian quadrantes. The variety of the designs are endlessly quite fascinating. Plus, they tend to fly under the radar and can be scooped up rather cheaply. Domitian Æ Quadrans, 3.07g Rome Mint, 85 AD Obv: IMP DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI; Bust of Ceres, draped, l. Rev: S C in field; Basket with corn ears RIC 316 (C). BMC -. BNC 347. Acquired from CGB.fr, December 2020. Small bronzes such as the quadrans were likely used in minor transactions by the plebs and sported very simple designs with popular motifs, often lacking an imperial portrait. Ceres briefly appeared on the obverse of Domitian's quadrantes in 85-86. She frequently was paired with an appropriate reverse design, such as a basket of corn ears as seen on this example. Some sellers erroneously refer to the obverse as Domitia. Incredibly, this bust left variant is missing from the extensive BM collection. Feel free to post your 'small change'.
My most recently acquired quadrans: Anonymous--Domitian to Antoninus Pius. Roman Æ quadrans, 12.9 mm, 2.37 g, 4 h Rome, A.D. 81-161. Obv: Bust of Venus, diademed, draped, right. Rev: S-C, dove standing right. Ref: RIC II, p. 218, 24; BMCRE --; Cohen VIII, p. 268, 10.
ANONYMOUS Æ Quadrans OBVERSE: Winged petasus REVERSE: S-C, winged caduceus Struck at Rome, Late 1st-mid 2nd century AD 15mm, 2.36g RIC II 32
Here are a couple - this one is similar to David's: Domitian (Augustus) Coin: Bronze Quadrans Obv. IMP DOMIT AVG GERM - Ceres bust left, draped Rev. S C - Basket of corn ears Mint: Rome (84-85 AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 1.99g / 16mm / 7h References: RIC 245 BMCRE 493 Acquisition: Ben Brauchler AP Auction 17-May-2015 And this a later one: Trajan (Augustus) Coin: Bronze Quadrans Obv. IMP CAES TRAIAN AVG GERM - Bust of Hercules, diademed, right, wearing lion-skin Rev. Boar right Exergue: Mint: Rome (ca. 114-117 AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 1.90g / 15mm / 5h References: RIC 702 Acquisition: Melqart eBay 20-Oct-2013 ATB, Aidan.
Nice Quadrans, @David Atherton ... I always like the change from everyday life. Neat to think whose hands they have been, and where they went. Roman Republic Aes Grave AE Quadrans 269-242 BCE Dog 3 pellets Six spoked wheel 59.8g (approx 2 Troy Ounces) Craw 24-6a Th-Vecchi 34 ex Sellwood
I believe this is the Smallest Denomination Change by the Roman Republic: QUARTUNCIA - 1/48th of an As or 1/480th of a Denarius Struck During the Second Punic War RR Anon AE Quartuncia 217-215 BC Roma Prow Cr 38-8 S 624 Roman Republic 217-215 BCE, AE Quartuncia 15.2 mm, 2.56 grams. Obverse: Head of Saturn right. Reverse: ROMA - Prow, right . Reference: Crawford 38/8
I had a semis depicting Trajan's column in my first collection which I sold more than 20 years ago. My one and only example of small change for the plebs.
