Description
Unlike typical Roman coins which feature gods, goddess, or emperors, this AE Quadrans features a right hand and on the reverse side barley leaves. Although the symbolism of the hand is unknown, the barley leaves represent flourishing agriculture; perhaps the hand could also be related to labor. Compared to other coins, the AE Quadrans is considerably larger, thicker, darker and heavier. On both sides of the coin, three dots, known as “denominational marks” or “pellets,” indicate the coin’s worth. Similar to the quarter, this coin is worth one fourth of an “as” which is comparable to a dollar.