Coin: Bronze Quadrans
Obverse: Rhinoceros, commemorating the first appearance of the animal in the colosseum
Reverse: S.C. (Senatus Consulto, "by decree of the senate")
Date: 84 - 90 A.D.
Bezel: 14k Gold
Weight: 4.38 grams
Diameter: 19 mm / .74 inches
Description
This item is an authentic Roman quadrans coin, placed in a handmade bezel of 14 karat gold. There is only 1 of this item; you will receive the exact pendant shown in the photos.
Chain necklaces can be purchased separately through this link.
History of the Artifact
The bronze quadrans of Emperor Domitian, struck around 81–96 A.D., is one of the most fascinating small-denomination coins of the Roman Empire. Despite its modest value, it captures a moment of grand spectacle and imperial propaganda. The obverse typically bears a simple inscription naming Domitian without his portrait—an unusual feature for imperial coins—and the reverse depicts a rhinoceros, a creature that few Romans had ever seen. The image commemorates what is believed to have been the first appearance of a rhinoceros in the Colosseum, a marvel of the Flavian dynasty’s public games that symbolized both Rome’s global reach and the emperor’s power to command exotic wonders for the entertainment of the people.
Minted in Rome, these coins were made of bronze and bore the letters S C (Senatus Consulto) on the reverse, signifying that they were issued by decree of the Senate. Though small and of low value, the quadrans served an important role in daily transactions and circulated widely among the lower classes, meaning this humble coin carried the image of imperial magnificence into the hands of ordinary citizens. The depiction of the rhinoceros—an animal of near-mythic status—was a vivid reminder of Rome’s dominance over nature and the known world. Today, surviving examples of Domitian’s rhinoceros quadrans are prized by collectors for their rarity and the glimpse they offer into the spectacle-driven culture of the early Roman Empire.
Authenticity
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- Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.
Your order will include:
- Rhinoceros Quadrans Pendant shown in photos
- Certificate of Authenticity
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