Cr 28/3 AR Quadrigatus (Didrachm) Anonymous

Debased Quadrigatus, 225-215 BCE
o: Laureate head of Janus
r: Jupiter in quadriga driven by Victory right; below, ROMA in relief in linear frame.
Cr. 28/3. Syd. 68.
(g. 5.36 mm. 20.00)
Debased 2nd Punic War issue, probably quite debased as there is almost a brasssy tone to the silver. This deterioration of metal content undermined the Roman monetary system to such an extent that the Didrachm-based system was unsalvagable. The smaller, lighter, but purer Denarius system became the replacement standard.