Rome struck its first didrachm around 280 BC, at the time of the war against Pyrrhus of Epirus and his ally, the city of Taras (Tarentum). The early Roman silver coins were modeled after Greek money, in denomination as well as in style. This coin depicts Castor and Pollux, and on the reverse a racing chariot ridden by god Jupiter and Victoria, the goddess of victory.
Didrachms were minted until the 2nd Punic War (218-201 BC) against Hannibal. In 211 BC, they were replaced by the denarius, the first truly autonomous Roman silver coin.