Anonymous, silver denarius (victoriatus), 3.00 g.

Anonymous, silver denarius (victoriatus), 3.00 g.

211 - 200 BCE

Obverse: Laureate head of Jupiter facing right. Border of dots.

Reverse: Victory facing right, placing wreath on trophy of arms; [R]OMA in exergue. Line border.

Style/Period: Roman Republic

The victoriatus or victoriate began to be minted c. 215 BCE. Along with the quadrigatus, it was one of the first silver coins produced by the mint in Rome and had a set value of 7 and 1/2 bronze asses. The first victoriate with these types probably commemorated the conquest of Corcyra and Illyricum by the Romans in 229 BCE. This coin was probably issued during the first years of the Second Punic War for commercial purposes. The victoriate continued to be issued throughout the war but was discontinued shortly after the introduction of the denarius system (see coin C003).
-- Bradford W. Wendel, LU '96

Bibliography: H. A. Grueber, Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum (London 1910), I, 36, no. 295; E. A. Sydenham, "The Victoriate," Numismatic Chronicle 12 (1932) 73-95; E. A. Sydenham, The Coinage of the Roman Republic (London 1952) 8, no. 83; H. Mattingly, "The Victoriate," Numismatic Chronicle 17 (1957) 97-119; M. H. Crawford, Roman Republican Coinage (London 1974) 154, no. 44/1; R. A. G. Carson, Principal Coins of the Romans (London 1978), I, 27, no. 59.

Classics Department Collection. Provenance unknown.

C002

Wriston Art Center Galleries, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI,wriston-gallery@lawrence.edu,920-832-6890