As soon as this little bronze was listed I knew I had to have it! Even the seller remarked - 'Very nice for this issue.' What an understatement! Vespasian Æ Quadrans, 2.06g Rome Mint, 72-73 AD Obv: IMP VESPASIAN AVG; Palm tree Rev: P M TR P P P • COS IIII; S C in field; Vexillum RIC 408 (R). BMC 626. BNC -. Hendin 1571. Acquired from Calgary Coin, March 2021. During Vespasian's reign the Rome mint produced sporadic issues of quadrantes. Their rarity today is likely a result of them being of low value and typically not hoarded. Mimicking the larger bronzes, the Jewish War victory was celebrated on them as well. Because of the small flan size brevity is called for: a palm tree 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 or bronze cousins. This specimen is remarkably well preserved for the denomination, perhaps it was lost soon after striking. Missing from the Paris collection. Please post your 'nice for the issue' coins.
Very nice, @David Atherton, not just "for the issue," but just plain nice. I've never seen an example of that coin. These Hadrian semisses are "nice for the issue," for the reasons you outline in your post. The semis denomination was issued infrequently and it ceased to be after the reign of Hadrian 117-138 AD. As such, these two coins are some of the last semisses minted. Hadrian, AD 117-138. Roman orichalcum semis, 4.06 g, 18.1 mm, 7 h. Rome, AD 121-23. Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, eagle standing half right, head turned left, wings open but not spread. Rev: P M TR P COS III S C, thunderbolt. Refs: RIC 625; RIC 2.3, 624; BMC 1279; Cohen 1167; Strack 579; RCV 3704. Hadrian, AD 117-138. Roman orichalcum semis, 4.12 g, 18.3 mm, 6 h. Rome, AD 124-25, possibly for use in Syria. Obv: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS: Bust of Hadrian, laureate, draped and cuirassed, right. Rev: COS III S C, lyre. Refs: RIC 688; RIC 2.3, 758; BMC 1359-61; Cohen 443; Strack 625; RCV 3701; McAlee 547a.
Ancient guys and catalogue....... Love it........modern sorts just don't have it 'cause they's too new.