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coin
Object Type
coin
Museum number
1843,1024.1
Denomination
quadrans
Description
Copper alloy coin.
(whole)
Garlanded altar (with bowl-shaped top).
(obverse)
Inscription.
(reverse)
State
Associated with:
Roman Empire
Ancient Greece and Rome: Roman Empire
Authority
Ruler:
Augustus (Octavian)
Moneyer:
Messalla
Moneyer:
Galus
Moneyer:
C Sisenna
Moneyer:
Apronius
Cultures/periods
Roman Imperial
Production date
5BC
Production place
Minted in:
Rome (city)
Materials
copper alloy
Dimensions
Die-axis:
6 o'clock
Weight:
3.14 grammes
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments
Augustus reopened the mint of Rome in 18 BC and reconstituted the board of three moneyers (as opposed to the earlier four). This is signified by the reverse legend, where the generic part after the moneyer's name stands for the Latin tres viri "auro argento aere flando feriundo" (AAAFF). Four moneyers were appointed to hold office each year in 5 and 4 BC, though curiously they continued to style themselves "tres viri" (IIIVIR). The issues of 5 BC are bewilderingly complex, exhibiting a multitude of combinations of the four names on obverse and reverse.
Bibliographic references
RE1 / Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, vol. 1: Augustus to Vitellius
(257, p.48)
RIC1 / The Roman Imperial Coinage, vol. 1
(456, p.77)
(type)
RR2 / Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum, vol. 2. Coinages of Rome (continued), Roman Campania, Italy, the social war, and the provinces.
(4727, p.114)
Location
Not on display
Subjects
religious object
Associated names
Named in inscription:
Messalla
Named in inscription:
Galus
Named in inscription:
C Sisenna
Named in inscription:
Apronius
Acquisition name
Purchased from:
Robert Boyne
Acquisition date
1843
Department
Coins and Medals
Registration number
1843,1024.1
C&M catalogue number
RE1
(48)
(257)
RR2
(114)
(4727)