Quadrans
Encyclopedia
The quadrans was a low-value Roman bronze
coin
worth one quarter 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.
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
(AD 138-161). Unlike other coins during the Roman Empire, the quadrans rarely bore the image of the emperor.
The quadrans was also known as teruncius, i.e. "three unciae".
The Greek word for the quadrans was κοδράντης (kodrantes), which was translated in the King James Version of the Bible
as "farthing".
The quadrans during Augustus Caesar's reign was about 3.03 grams copper, 0.007 pounds, 0.0975 troy ounces, 0.107 ounces, or 16 carob beans weight. He made this reform in 23 BC. This weight seems to be on average, about 0.1 troy ounces.
Bronze
Bronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive. It is hard and brittle, and it was particularly significant in antiquity, so much so that the Bronze Age was named after the metal...
coin
Coin
A coin is a piece of hard material that is standardized in weight, is produced in large quantities in order to facilitate trade, and primarily can be used as a legal tender token for commerce in the designated country, region, or territory....
worth one quarter of an as. The quadrans was issued from the beginning of cast bronze coins during the Roman Republic
Roman Republic
The Roman Republic was the period of the ancient Roman civilization where the government operated as a republic. It began with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy, traditionally dated around 508 BC, and its replacement by a government headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and...
with three pellets representing three unciae
Uncia (coin)
The uncia was a Roman unit of length and of weight .-Republican coin:...
as a mark of value. The obverse type, after some early variations, featured the bust of Hercules
Hercules
Hercules is the Roman name for Greek demigod Heracles, son of Zeus , and the mortal Alcmene...
, 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.
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
Antoninus Pius
Antoninus Pius , also known as Antoninus, was Roman Emperor from 138 to 161. He was a member of the Nerva-Antonine dynasty and the Aurelii. He did not possess the sobriquet "Pius" until after his accession to the throne...
(AD 138-161). Unlike other coins during the Roman Empire, the quadrans rarely bore the image of the emperor.
The quadrans was also known as teruncius, i.e. "three unciae".
The Greek word for the quadrans was κοδράντης (kodrantes), which was translated in the King James Version of the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
as "farthing".
The quadrans during Augustus Caesar's reign was about 3.03 grams copper, 0.007 pounds, 0.0975 troy ounces, 0.107 ounces, or 16 carob beans weight. He made this reform in 23 BC. This weight seems to be on average, about 0.1 troy ounces.