Anonymous AR Didrachm. Rome, or 'Mint D', 234-231 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right / Horse prancing left; ROMA above. Crawford 26/1; RSC 37; HN Italy 306. 6.53g, 20mm, 4h.

Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XV, 5 April 2018, lot 355;
Ex collection of P.G., Germany, outside of Italy prior to December 1992.

After the victory over the Samnites, the Senate instated a new, standardised monetary system. For the first two decades, bronze bars were the predominant issues, after which point silver coinage began to appear. This type is from what H. Mattingly describes as 'Mint D' which he locates either at Apulia or Beneventum. The legend on the older design (struck from 269 BC onwards) was ROMANO which had been shortened to ROMA by the time this type was struck, however the significance of this is unclear. Showing distinct Greek influence, this is a fine example of early Roman silver coinage. Cf. Mattingly, H, The First Age of Roman Coinage, The Journal of Roman Studies 35, Parts 1 and 2 (1945), pp. 65-77.