I was really excited to finally get a decent example of this tiny bronze. A coin that is normally overlooked by collectors as part of the Judaea Capta series. Vespasian Æ Quadrans, 2.54g Rome Mint, 71 AD RIC 351 (R). BMC 618. Obv: IMP VESPASIAN AVG; Palm tree Rev: P M TR PPP COS III; S C in field; Vexillum Acquired from numis-kimel, eBay, May 2019. During Vespasian's great bronze issue of 71 the Rome mint produced a series of quadrantes. There rarity today is likely a result of them being of low value and typically not hoarded. Mimicking the larger bronze, the Jewish War victory was even celebrated on them as well. Because of the small flan size brevity is called for: a palm representing Judaea on the obverse, and a Vexillum symbolising military victory on the reverse - straight and to the point! Ironically, despite their rarity today, more of the plebeian population would have seen these quadrantes than their more famous 'Judaea Capta' silver cousins. A decent example of the denomination struck with full legends and sporting a nice 'Tiber' patina. Post your tiny bronze or 'forgotten' coins!
Interesting in its iconography and indeed forgotten. Here's my favorite quadrans, but it's hardly forgotten; this type is popular because of the animal theme. Trajan, AD 98-117. Roman AE quadrans, 3.68 g, 16.4 mm, 6 h. Rome, AD 98-117. Obv: IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG, laureate bust right, drapery on left shoulder. Rev: She-wolf walking right; SC in exergue. Refs: RIC 692; BMCRE 1060; Cohen 338; RCV --; Woytek 599b1.
That is really nice David. I had forgotten all about these neat coins and I love this period of history.
It’s popular because it’s exceeding common. Next to Claudius RIC 84, it may be the most common Roman quadrans available. Funny aside, though, before the fall of the iron curtain, these were fairly rare.
I have this Provincial AE of Domitian from Caesarea Maritime in Judaea, which may or may not have been intended as a Judaea Capta type: I summarized the arguments for and against this being a Judaea Capta type in a previous post: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/judaea-capta-of-domitian.301534/
I tend to side with the Judaea Capta argument for your piece (although normally I'm sceptical of most Victory types categorised as such). What other victory could it be commemorating?? Time and place of minting is key to this one.
