The Distribution and Circulation of the Victoriatus in Northern Italy

This paper examines the evidence for the distribution and circulation of the victoriatus in Northern Italy during the second century BCE. It argues that the Romans revived the victoriatus in the 170s BCE to supplement colonization efforts in the region. Although the victoriatus was falling out of favor elsewhere, the coinage was used in Northern Italy in lieu of the denarius for two reasons. Not only did the victoriatus fit the metrological standards of the coinage already circulating in the region, but it was also used as a commodity in places that were not yet monetized.