Quadrans

Quadrans of Domitian

The quadrans (literally meaning a "a quarter") was 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 a three pellets (representing three unciae) as a mark of value. The obverse type, after some early variations, featured the bust of Hercules, while the obverse featured the prow of a galley.

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.

See also: Roman currency.

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