C. VIBIUS C. F. CN. PANSA CAETRONIANUS; Cr. 449/4; 48 B.C.



Pecunem Auction 6 Lot 329, my coin, see description below 



BM449.4.1



BM449.4.2



BM449.4.3



BM449.4.4



BM449.4.5



BM449.4.6



Cr449.4.6 NAC A63 L351

 

C. VIBIUS C. F. CN. PANSA CAETRONIANUS. Denarius (48 BC). Rome. Obv: LIBERTATIS. Laureate head of Libertas right. Rev: C PANSA C F C N. Roma seated right on pile of arms, her left foot on globe, holding sceptre and sword; in upper right field, Victory flying left to crown her. Note the Macedonian helmet beneath the shields. I found only one other coin picture with the helmet, BM online 449.4.5, and it looks to me to be the same die. Does make coin a rare type?

Crawford 449/4 (Crawford estimates 33 obverse dies for this issue.); Grueber 3983; Sear 423; RSC Vibia 20; Sydenham 949; CRI 23

Condition: Near extremely fine; Weight: 4.0 g.; Pecunem Auction 6 Lot 329 Aug 4, 2013

The coin was minted in Rome by C. Vibius C.f. C.n. Pansa Caetronianus , adoptive son of C. Vibius Pansa , a monetary triumvir who worked during the years of the social war. He was elected tribune of the plebs in 51 B.C. and supported Julius Caesar who sent him as a legate (general officer) to the Gallia Cisalpina between 44 and 45 B.C. After his return and after Caesar’s death, he was elected consul together with A. Hirtius (another legate loyal to Caesar). In 43 B.C. helped Decimio Bruto in the campaign in Modena against Marco Antonio. He died together with A. Hirtius during the battle.
This coin was minted between 49 and 48 B.C., during the civil war between Caesar and Pompeo which ended with the battle of Farsalo and the defeat of Pompeo in Egypt. The virtus is represented here by Libertas – identified by the key LIBERTATIS- and by the figure of Rome on the other side of the coin. This is a clear reference to the propaganda of respect for the republican legality of Caesar.