From Art to Artifact:  Making Sense of Roman Coins

The quadriga reverse type was typical of Syracusan coinage from the middle of the fifth century BCE onwards and became common throughout Sicily centuries before the quadrigatus coinage. Of particular note is the turning post, underneath the horses but above the ground line, indicating that the reverse features a chariot race scene (SNG ANS 288).

The coin shows that the Sicilian quadriga type was not always militaristic. By contrast, quadriga never appear in a Roman Republican context that is not militaristic.

Also, on Sicilian quadriga types, Victory frequently appears above the horses, crowning the driver. She very rarely appears in this position on Roman coinage, perhaps because the Roman coins feature deities within the quadriga, whereas the Sicilian coins probably feature mortals.