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Rome - The Republic

Moneyer: Anonymous
Issue: 207 B.C.
Denomination: AR Victoriatus
Mint: Rome
Obverse: Laureate head of Jupiter right.
Reverse: Victory right, crowning trophy with wreath in right, crescent in centre, "ROMA" in exergue.
Reference: RSC I 24d, RCVM 50, RRC 57/1
Weight: 2.7 gms
Diameter: 15.1 mm

Victoriatus

The victoriatus was issued, all with these same types, from about 221 B.C. to 170 B.C. The coin was struck with debased silver and initially weighed about 3.4 grams. Hoard evidence indicates that the victoriatus circulated in southern Italy and later Gaul, indicating that the coin was intended as replacement for the drachm or half-nomos instead of as part of the normal Roman coin system. When first issued the victoriatus had a value of about 3/4ths of a denarius. When the quinarius was reintroduced in 101 B.C., victoriati that were still in circulation were worn and considered to be worth only half a denarius. The name victoriatus is ancient. The coin was known as a tropaikon (due to the trophy on the reverse) among Greek speakers.

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