Roman Rhinoceros Coin Pendant

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.

Ancient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a three layer system of protection: 

1. Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  
2. Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. 
3. 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.

You will receive the exact pendant shown in the photos.

Bronze coins of the early Roman Empire, such as asses, dupondii, sestertii, and quadrantes, were produced in vast quantities to serve the daily needs of a growing population. They were minted primarily in Rome, though later provincial mints across the empire—such as Lugdunum (modern Lyon) or Antioch—also struck them. Because they were made of base metal rather than silver or gold, these coins circulated heavily among ordinary citizens and were often lost in the streets, buried in foundations, or stored in small hoards.