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Denomination: Victoriatus
Era: 211-208 BC
Metal: AR
Obverse: Laureate head of Jupiter. Beaded border.
Reverse: Victory holding Wreath over military trophy. ROMA in Exergue. "MP" in field between Victory and trophy
Mint: Metapontum?
Weight: 2.50 gm.
Reference: RRC 93/1a
Provenance: Aegean Numismatics, February, 2020
The MP monogram was regarded by both Grueber and Sydenham as a mint mark. D’Ally suggested it might be a moneyer but more likely, two confederate cities. Crawford did not speculate on the meaning of the MP monogram. It has been suggested that MP stands for Metapontum
RRC 93 groups two different styles that could not be more different. 93/1a is characterized with a distinctive head of jupiter with a pointed nose, perpendicular hair above the wreath, and rather straight locks on the back of the neck. The reverse shows victory with natural proportions holding a wreath over a trophy with no skirt or base, but two greaves below the shield. It is not a rare issue, but not common at all. In the recently discovered “VHoard” of more than 1700 victoriati, there were only 4 of this variety.
RRC 93/1b for comparison has a much more rounded head of Jupiter with wavy locks on the back of the neck. The reverse shows Victory as a rather squat figure. RRC 93/1c is of the same style as RRC 93/1b, but is fully anonymous without the MP ligate.
The coin has relatively minor laminations, one on each side, but these are small and in the fields without obstruction of the main devices. Light weight at 2.50 g. Possibly due to the laminations in the flan. Otherwise VF
Collezione : Symbols -Early anonymous Roman silver coins with symbols and Mintmarks