coin

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Object Type: coin
Museum number: 1843,1024.3
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: C Sisenna; Moneyer: Messalla; Moneyer: Apronius; Moneyer: Galus
Cultures/periods: Roman Imperial
Production date: 5BC
Production place: Minted in: Rome (city)
Materials: copper alloy
Dimensions: Die-axis: 5 o'clock; Weight: 3.33 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 (263, p.49); RIC1 / The Roman Imperial Coinage, vol. 1 (463, 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. (4733, p.115)
Location: Not on display
Subjects: religious object
Associated names: Named in inscription: C Sisenna; Named in inscription: Messalla; Named in inscription: Apronius; Named in inscription: Galus
Acquisition name: Purchased from: Robert Boyne
Acquisition date: 1843
Department: Money and Medals
Registration number: 1843,1024.3
C&M catalogue number: RE1 (49) (263); RR2 (115) (4733)

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