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L. Cestius and C. Norbanus Gold Aureus, 43 BC

1167

L. Cestius and C. Norbanus. Gold Aureus (7.91 g), 43 BC. Emergency issue of the Roman Senate. Rome.

Draped bust of Africa right, wearing elephant’s skin headdress. Rev. L CESTIVS above, ex S C - P R across

field, C NORBA in exergue, two confronted serpents atop curule chair, front legs of which are decorated

with eagles. (Crawford 491/1b; HCRI 195a; Bahrfeldt 25, pl. IV, 19 (same dies); Sydenham 1154; Calicó 4).

Rare variety.

The usual minor weakness on the left eagle for this reverse die. otherwise well struck and of

good style. Extremely fine.

$ 14,000

This rarity of the dying Republic was probably struck as an emergency issue by by order of the Senate (indicated by the letters S

senatus consulto

, found on the reverse) apparently in connection with two African legions deployed abortively to defend Rome

against Octavian in 43 BC. The head of Africa on the obverse seems to refer to these legions, while the

sella curulis

(curule chair)

on the reverse may be read as a symbol of imperium. Crawford, however, has doubted these specific circumstances, arguing that the

S C inscription does not necessarily express opposition to Octavian and that by the summer of 43 BC the Senate probably lacked

the gold needed to issue this and related aureus issues on its own. This is clearly a remarkable coin and worthy of further thought.

1168

C. Vibius Varus. Silver Denarius (3.65 g), 42 BC. Rome. Head of young Bacchus, wearing wreath of ivy

and grapes. Rev. C VIBIVS VARVS, panther springing left onto garlanded altar upon which a bacchic mask

and thyrsus rest. (Crawford 494/36; HCRI 192; Sydenham 1138; Vibia 24). Beautifully toned with natural

antique iridescence. Superb extremely fine.

$ 800

Purchased privately from Tom Cederlind.

The types of this coin relate to the cult of Bacchus (the Roman version of Greek Dionysos), but their intended message is unclear.

Crawford speculated that Bacchus (Liber) might have been a patron of the gens Vibia since he also appears on coins of C. Vibius C.f.

Pansa (Crawford 342). The cult of Bacchus had a spotty history in the second century. Lurid stories about the uninhibited mixing of

men and women of different social backgrounds during the Bacchanalia was seen as a threat to good order in Rome and among the

Roman allies. The Senate therefore stepped in and repressed the cult in 186 BC with some severity, establishing a

senatus consultum

de Bacchanalibus

to closely regulate the worship of Bacchus in the future.