v08_0162 - AUGUSTE Quadrans, (PB, Æ 17)

AUGUSTUS

(16/1/27 BC - 19/8/14 AD)

The quadrans was the smallest denomination of the Roman monetary system: 1 aureus = 25 denarii = 100 sesterces = 400 aces = 1600 quadrans. The quadrans are cut at 96 pounds, or a theoretical weight of 3.38 g. It took more than 16 pounds of copper to be worth an aureus. The value of copper appears to have been half that of orichalcum at the quadrans. In the 1st century, a measure of ordinary wine cost an ace or four quandrans. Initially the quadrans may have been the divisional coin par excellence which was distributed to the people of Rome at the time of the donativa. It could perhaps also constitute the exchange value for any food, donation of food for the plebs, for example.