small roman republican denarius

I found this very small coin (1.8 grams 12mmx 15 mm) coin. I first assumed it is a republican denarius, but the small size contradicts that. Is this a silver sestertius?

Anyone recognize this? Also, what happened to wildwinds.com? Is it having problems again?

 

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Norm: I'm not certain, but I think this is a quinarius. At least the size and weight suggest it. I cannot make out the letters underneath Victory and the trophy. If you can make them out, I might be able to help.

 

Ah, I think I found it:
Roman Republic, Cn. Cornelius Lentulus Clodianus (88 B.C), Silver Quinarius, head of Jupiter right, rev., Victory crowning a trophy right, CN LENT in exergue, (RCV 255; RRC 345/2; RSC Cornelia 51)

http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/sear5/s0255.html#cornelia51

 

That's a very cool lil' coin, Norm (congrats)

 

I can still get on the site if I'm persistent. It's been hard to get on ever since the crash this past summer. Also, very slow to load at times.

 

that's cool indeed..i don't have a quinarius. I couldn't even remember what it was, had to look it up...1/2 a denarius it is.

 

I'm glad to hear you say that, Bing. I thought it was just me/my ISP.

~1/3 of the time I get a message saying their server isn't responding, yet when I check isitdownrightnow.com the site shows as "up".

 

Thanks Bing. I had not heard of a Quinuarius before either.

 

I have been looking at the RR Quinarii for some time waiting for the right one at the right price. That is why I recognized it straight away. Fairly common coins.

 

When you say you "found" it, what does that mean? Metal detecting? Estate collection? CoinStar?

 

You can get a

I'd be interested as well.

 

This quinarius brings to mind the old, pre-denarius denomination the Victoriatus. These were smaller than denarii and larger than quinarii. The legend in exergue is ROMA rather than a moneyer name as on the OP coin.
The victoriatus was intended as an equivalent to the Greek drachma or about 3/4 of the denarius but the fact that OP coin used the exact type was used on a quinarius gives weight to the theory that worn victoriati probably traded at a half. Most I've seen are not particularly good looking in terms of style or metal compared to the denarii of the first period.

 

I thought the OP coin was possibly a Victoriatus until I made out the moneyer name on the reverse. I need to get at least one of each. Like Steve always says, I need to buy more coins!

 

Nice coin, never heard of a quinarius. I like the design too.