Quinarius Aureus - Tiberius TR POT XXVII, Victoria

The quinarius aureus denomination — struck at half the weight of a standard aureus — saw limited use under the early Principate, and Tiberius issued relatively few of them. This piece, dated by tribunician power to 25–26 AD, falls squarely within his reclusive middle reign, after the death of Drusus in 23 AD and before his full withdrawal to Capri in 27 AD. Whether these half-aurei circulated widely or served a more specific purpose in donatives or payments remains debated among specialists.

RIC I #11 is not a common type. The small flan and high gold content made the quinarius aureus vulnerable to clipping, and survivors in decent condition are genuinely scarce.