Initially, the quinarius was struck for a few years, along with the silver sestertius, following the introduction of the denarius in 211 BC. At this time the quinarius was valued at 5 asses.
The coin was reintroduced in 101 BC as a replacement for the victoriatus, this time valued at 8 asses due to retariffing of the denarius to 16 asses in 118 BC.
For a few years following its reintroduction, large quantities of quinarii were produced, mostly for circulation in Gaul. The coin was produced sporadically until the 3rd century. It was also occasionally struck in gold.
Reverse: LAETITIA AVG, galley right, with mast and six oars; QC in exergue
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 2.7 g
Reverse: VIRTVS AVG, Galley rowing left; QC mint mark in exergue
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 2.23 g
Reverse: VIRTVS AVG, galley left, with mast and five oars; QL in exergue
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 2.58 g
Roma Numismatics Auction XIX; Lot 910, Ex. Frank Reinhardt Collection; Bt. Marc Walter Ancient Coins, 2017; Ex. H.D. Rauch Auction 102 (2016); Lot 513, Ex. Bankhaus Aufhäuser Auktion 11 (1995); Lot 420
Reverse: P CARISI LEG, Victory standing facing right, crowning trophy of captured arms, dagger and curved sword at base
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 1.79 g
Reverse: Victory standing right, placing wreath on a trophy consisting of helmet and cuirass; dagger and sword hilt at base of trophy; P CARIS_I__LEG
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 1.56 g
Reverse: COS IIII P P, Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 1.27 g
Reverse: VICTORIA GALBAE AVG, Victory wearing drapery, standing facing left on top of globe, holding wreath and palm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 1.62 g