Crawford 31/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC - AR Didrachm-Quadrigatus

Rome, The Republic.
Anonymous, 225-214 BCE.
AR Didrachm/Quadrigatus (6.81g; 20mm).
Rome Mint (?)

Obv: Janiform head with V neck truncation; pellet beneath neck.

Rev: Jupiter and Victory in quadriga galloping right; beneath, ROMA semi-incuse on raised tablet.

Reference: Crawford 31/1; Sydenham 64c; BMC 100; Gentilhomme Class B, 5th Variety, No. 103 (Plate 3, No 1 and Plate 2, No 9).

Provenance: Ex Freeman and Sear, 2003.

The last few series of Roman silver didrachm coinage, produced from 225-214 BCE, are nicknamed "quadrigati" because of the common reverse type of Jupiter and Victory in a fast quadriga. Crawford's arrangement of quadrigati into distinct series requires a great amount of study to understand. Collectors and dealers alike often misattribute quadrigati among Crawford's series.

Crawford 31 series didrachms are generally of weak style, low relief and debased metal. The series is recognizable by the Janiform head with a “V” neck truncation, sideburns forking into four, distinct tendrils, and either with or without a pellet control mark below the neck. Although not catalogued separately by Crawford, I find that there are two distinct varieties of Crawford 31 didrachms: the first with a pellet below the Janiform neck and an incuse or semi-incuse ROMA inscription; the second with no pellet below the neck and ROMA in relief within a linear frame. The above coin is the first variety, showing the pellet and semi-incuse inscription. I believe the two should be recognized as separate and distinct varieties within the same series. The meaning of the obverse pellet is unclear, but it may be a control mark indicating the workshop or source of the silver for the issue. Crawford attributes the series to the Rome Mint; however, given the debased metal, fabric and mediocre style common to the series, it’s also possible that the series was struck by a military mint or Italian satellite mint early in the Second Punic War.