ROMAN REPUBLICAN. Anonymous. After 211 B.C. AR victoriatus. 3.39 gm. 18 mm. Rome mint. Laureate head of Jupiter right / Victory standing right, crowning trophy with wreath; ROMA in exergue. Crawford 53/1. Sydenham 83. RSC 9. Extremely Fine; beautiful old toning; good style, well centered and sharply struck on a broad flan. Choice example.

The Zabel Collection.

This victoriatus ("tropaikon" in Greek) was issued to make payments in Greek-speaking southern Italy, where its weight was close to a drachm or half nomos. Rome needed coinage to pay her allies in the Second Punic War, which was being fought across Italy at this time.