My latest coin is a quadrans struck for Vespasian and it apparently has caused some confusion. Vespasian Æ Quadrans, 2.45g Rome Mint, 75 AD Obv: IMP VESPASIAN AVG; Rudder on globe Rev: P M TR P P P COS VI; Caduceus, winged RIC 825 (R). BMC 715. BNC 740. Acquired from Marc Breitsprecher, April 2020. This specimen has erroneously been attributed as unique in the unpublished RIC II.1 Addenda and assigned the catalogue number 736A. The RIC authors misread the present coin without S C as reading COS V and assigned it a wholly new catalogue number. The coin actually reads COS VI (RIC 825), with the 'I' connecting to the caduceus' wand, which caused the confusion. I can categorically say without doubt that RIC 736A does not exist and is a phantom coin. The quadrans in the early imperial period typically lacked an imperial portrait. Possibly the denomination was deemed so lowly by mint officials that a portrait was considered improper. They were struck haphazardly and functioned primarily as an urban low value coinage in Rome and central Italy. The quadrans was the typical fee for entry into the baths, a urinal, or for a tryst in a cheap brothel. Being of rather low value quadrantes were not typically hoarded and thus are relatively scarce today. The rudder over globe suggests Vespasian's continued steady hand guiding the empire. Feel free to post your phantom or truly unlisted coins.
Interesting observation, @David Atherton . I discovered that Cohen and RIC (which often accepts Cohen without verification) and even David Sear erred in their description of the obverse legend on this coin of Faustina II issued under Antoninus Pius. See this (necessarily) lengthy thread. In short, the listings for RIC 1405c, C 211, and Sear 4733 are in error and coins with the longer legend ending in PII FIL do not exist. Faustina II, AD 147-175. Roman Æ as, 9.80 g, 24.1 mm, 6 h. Rome, AD 154-156. Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA AVG PII F, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: S C, Diana standing l., holding arrow and resting on bow. Ref: cf. RIC 1405c; Cohen 211; Sear 4733.
I have come across the opposite situation regarding old RIC II, BMC II, and Cohen as well. One 'phantom' coin those works deemed 'uncertain' and 'strange' turned out to actually exist! Domitian AR Denarius, 3.06g Rome Mint, 95-96 AD Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XV; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: IMP XXII COS XVII CENS P P P; Maia adv. l., with dove and caduceus RIC 786 (R2). BMC 237A. RSC 295. BNC -. Ex Gemini XI, 12 January 2014, lot 418. Ex C. Clay Collection. Ex Voirol Collection, M&M 38, 6-7 December 1968, lot 403. Ex M&M VI, 6-7 December 1946, lot 804. This specimen published by H. A. Cahn, 'Flaviana indedita', Num. Chronicle 1946 p. 22, 50.
Man I like that Quadrans David! Here's a Vespasian phantom. Uncertain mint. Vespasian AE18. Prow Uncertain mint, Vespasian head laureate l., OYE ... KAISAR S / Prow l., EPI[..]DIONYSI... RPC 2.2805 = Lindgren 3.1661 (only catalogued specimen).
Cool, @David Atherton ! I have always wondered about how many phantom coins could be out there... everything from obscure strikings before the Roman World or even within the Roman Empire, with so many mints, changes in government, and Usurpers they went through. I always liked the Flying Caduceus... it always looked like it has a mind of its own, and will buzz around. Couple phantoms, and since I am not an expert, I trust the Sellers. Here is one: FLORIAN AE23mm 3.54g Antoninian/Aurelian (VF, patina, deposits) AV: IMP C M AN FLORIANVS P AVG; radiate, cuirassed and draped with paludamentum, seen from rear bust r. REV: CONCORD MILIT; Emperor togate stg. r., clasping the hand of Concordia stg. l. EXE: S REF: LV 2738; RIC V-1 57var (unlisted bust type), RIC Online #4294 7 specs listed, only one in La Venera, and only 2 from prior sales; 1st issue for Siscia mint, 2nd officina, july-august 276AD. A rare coin from a very brief reign, as Florian has only reigned for a couple of moths in the summer of 276AD. Ex: @seth77 This was fun one to get. Seth had sent it to me back in 2016, but it took several months to get from Romania. Unfortunately, UPS sent it back after a long time due to torn up packaging from their handling. Seth graciously contacted me after he received it back, repackaged it, and sent it again. I did receive it soon after, however the package was torn up AGAIN! LOL, not sure if Romania UPS, US Customs, US UPS, or whomever were probably employing GORILLAS at the time! All was well, and received the destroyed package with the coin in great order! He has always given me excellent customer care and was a LOT more frazzled than I was when this was happening. I trusted that I would get it, or he was going to take of me. So, I was never concerned during the whole ordeal.
That is a nice 'coin for the people' @David Atherton. I still lack a quadrans in my collection. I do believe this coin is unlisted. I have so far found 1 other example, on CNG. They claim it to be a hybrid, due to the title BRIT and IMP VI. Who am I to disagree. I emailed them a time ago about my coin. Never got a response.
It is indeed rare to come across a quadrans in good condition. Apparently, they were treated as disposable currency by the Romans and not hoarded.
If I am not mistaking, that Florian is from Solidus from the time when they were still selling on ebay, around 2015, one of their 3 or 4-coin lots.
