Anonymous, circa 240 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 19 mm, 6.51 g, 6 h), Rome. Head of youthful Mars to right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with a griffin springing right. Rev. ROMA Head of a bridled horse to right; to left, sickle. Crawford 25/1. HN Italy 297. RBW 38. Sydenham 24. Beautifully toned and with a very interesting overstrike. Traces of overstriking and with a minor flan fault on the obverse, otherwise, very fine.


This coin was overstruck on a Roma/Victory didrachm (Crawford 22/1), with traces of the neck guard of Roma's helmet remaining clearly visible below the back of Mars' neck and extending up to the tail of his helmet crest. Such overstrikes were important for establishing the chronological relationship between the Roma/Victory and the Mars/Horse head didrachms.