Crawford 103/2, ROMAN REPUBLIC, MT Series, AR Quinarius

Rome, The Republic.
MT Series, 211-210 BCE.
AR Quinarius (2.03g; 16mm).
Apulian Mint.

Obverse: Head of Roma in winged helmet with splayed visor, facing right; V (mark-of-value) behind.

Reverse: Dioscuri galloping right with couched spears; two stars above; MT monogram below horses; ROMA in exergue.

References: Crawford 103/2b; Sydenham 183; BMCRR (Italy) 228.

Provenance: Ex Classical Numismatic Group Esale 463 (11 Mar 2020) Lot 292; New York Sale 23 (2010), Lot 99.

Quinarii of the MT series are typically struck on very broad, thin flans, and this coin is no exception. This fabric also yields frequent flan cracks. There are a variety of styles to the monogram and helmet types on these quinarii. The cross bar for the T of the monogram can appear on either the left or right tip of the M. The helmets are typically Attic style, although the RBW Collection included a rare example with a Phrygian helmet. In The RBW Collection book, Andrew McCabe theorizes that the MT series may have been struck in Luceria.