VICTORIA´TUS
VICTORIA´TUS was the name of a Roman coin of
considerable importance in the time of the Roman Republic, so called because
it bore the type of Victory crowning a trophy. Its origin is doubtful; but
it makes its appearance in Italy towards the end of the 3rd century B.C., first in Campania and then in other parts of
the Roman dominions and in Rome itself. The weight is three scruples, or
three sestertii; that is to say, three-fourths of the denarius, or about 45
grains. It has been disputed whether the
[p. 2.955]weight of
the victoriatus was taken from that of the contemporary coins of Illyria
(after
 |
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Roman Victoriatus.
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B.C. 229), or whether the reverse was the case. The convenience of the coin
lay in the fact that it was equal in value to the drachms of the Illyrian,
Achaian, Rhodian, Massilian, and other important currencies. Its importance
in currency is fully attested by numerous finds. Beside the victoriatus, its
half, weighing about 22 grains, also circulated.
The weight of the victoriatus soon fell; and at a period put by Mommsen at
about B.C. 104, but by other writers earlier, quinarii or half denarii were
issued with the types of the victoriatus, and after that time even
victoriate coins issued earlier but still in circulation were reckoned only
as half a denarius.
[
P.G]
