Marcus Aurelius, 161-180. Quadrans (Copper, 17 mm, 3.21 g, 7 h), anonymous, but with a portrait of Annius Verus (?) in the guise of Summer, Rome, c. 165. Laureate and draped bust of an infant boy to right, wearing a grain collar. Rev. S.C within grain wreath. RIC II, 34. Van Heesch 7. With an attractive child's portrait and a dark, greenish-brown patina. Good very fine.
From the Molard Collection, Switzerland, ex ACR 6, 10 December 2012, 992.
This coin forms part of a group of quadrantes, all with infant heads on their obverses and SC within a wreath on the reverse. There are four different types, each identified as portraying one of the four seasons (the busts and wreaths are paired, and each type is adorned with specific fruits or grains, connoting different seasons of the year). This piece, with decoration of ripe grain, denotes Summer.