Anonymous. Circa 300/280-276 BC. AR Didrachm (19mm, 6.82 g, 5h). Uncertain mint (Neapolis?). VF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 698. Estimated: $ 1 000

Roman Republican, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 1 950. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Anonymous. Circa 300/280-276 BC. AR Didrachm (19mm, 6.82 g, 5h). Uncertain mint (Neapolis?). Helmeted head of Mars left; oak spray to right / Horse’s head right, wearing bridle, on base inscribed ROMANO; stalk of grain to left. Crawford 13/1; Burnett (O22/R15); Sydenham 1; RSC 4; RBW 3. Deep old collection tone, scratches, scrape on obverse, edge marks. VF.

Ex Goldberg 28 (20 February 2005), lot 692.

The first Roman silver coins were produced about the time of King Pyrrhus' invasion of Italy at the behest of the Tarentines (280 BC) and were struck on a weight standard derived from the currency of the Campanian city of Neapolis. This initial issue (Mars/horse's head) seems to have been produced at the Greek mint of Metapontum, an attribution strongly suggested by the ear of barley appearing behind the horse's head on the reverse. The dies for this first issue of Roman didrachms display the fine Greek style for which the Metapontine coinage was renowned. The head of Mars on the obverse is inspired by the portrait of Leukippos, the founder of Metapontum when it was resettled from Sybaris, which had appeared regularly on the Metapontine coinage in the latter part of the 4th century.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session Three – Lot 588-888 will be held Tuesday morning, 19 May 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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