Quadrans

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Circa 275-270 BC.
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Circa 275-270 BC.
Cast coin. O/ bust of Hercules l.;three pellets. R/ Prow of galley;three pellets.
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Cast coin. O/ bust of Hercules l.;three pellets. R/ Prow of galley;three pellets.

The quadrans (literally meaning "a quarter") was a low-value Roman bronze coin worth 1/4th of an as. The quadrans was issued from the beginning of cast bronze coins during the Roman Republic with three pellets (representing three unciae) as a mark of value. The obverse type, after some early variations, featured the bust of Hercules, while the reverse featured the prow of a galley. Coins with the same value were issued from other cities in Central Italy, using a cast process.

Augustus Quadrans
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Augustus Quadrans

After ca. 90 BC, when bronze coinage was reduced to the semuncial standard, the quadrans became the lowest-valued coin in production. It was produced sporadically until the time of Antoninus Pius (138-161 AD). Unlike other coins during the Roman Empire, the quadrans rarely bore the image of the emperor.

Quadrans of Domitian
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Quadrans of Domitian

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