Ab Urbe Condita

Republican Billon Quadrigatus, 225-212 BC.
Obverse: Laureate head of Janus.
Reverse: Jupiter in quadriga galloping right, ROMA on raised tablet below.
Craw 28/3 var, Syd 68. 18.81 mm, 4.82 gm.

This type of coin is called a “quadrigatus” after the quadrigae, or four horse chariot, on the reverse. In 211 BC. the coinage was reformed. This coin was discontinued and the better known denarius was introduced.

I believe this coin to be a debased Second Punic War emergency issue. It is made of billon, not the normal silver, and it is underweight. I would think that it is too obvious to be an ancient counterfeit. Please correct me if I am wrong.