Roman Republic, Southeast Italy. Uncertain Mint, c. 211-210 BC, AE Quadrans, 7.36g (21mm, 1h).

Head of Hercules r.; behind, three pellets. / Prow r.; above, ROMA, before, Q and below, three pellets

Pedigree: Privately purchased in New York Inc. 2024 from CNG.

References: Sydenham 301c. RBW –. Crawford 86A/3

Grade: Minor overall wear with a few isolated spots of encrustation. Well struck and pretty in hand.

Price: $2850

rr1359

While denominated as a quarter of an as, the quadrans can be identified by three small pellets included in the design on both faces. This was due to the denomination also equaling three unciae. Originally the Republican quadrans was a large cast bronze coin weighing around 65 grams, but it slowly shrank until the last imperial examples struck under Hadrian weighed only a few grams. Additionally, as Roman minting technology improved this denomination evolved into a hand struck instead of a cast coin. Sydenham notes that this particular type was possibly struck by a member of the gens Quinetia; however, there really is no way to prove that.