RIC 502A Domitian

Æ Quadrans, 2.75g
Rome Mint, 86 AD
Obv: IMP DOMITIAN AVG GERM COS XII; Ceres bust r., wearing wreath of corn ears, draped
Rev: S C in field; Bundle of three poppies and four corn ears
RIC 502A (R3). BMC 370. BNC -.
Acquired from Savoca, September 2023.

Small bronzes such as the quadrans were likely used in minor transactions by the plebs and sported very simple designs with popular motifs, often lacking an imperial portrait. Ceres briefly appeared on the obverse of Domitian's quadrantes in 85-86. She frequently was paired with an appropriate reverse design, such as a bundle of corn ears and poppies as seen on this example. Both the obverse and reverse celebrate Domitian's careful stewardship of the grain supply. This is a fourth known example of the rare variety with DOMITIAN fully spelled out. The other specimens are located in the BM (the only one known at the time of RIC II.1's publication), Paris, and two (!) in Berlin.