Lot 1155
T. Vettius Sabinus. Silver Denarius (3.80 g), 66 BC. Rome. SABINVS behind, S C before, bare-headed and bearded head of King Tatius right; below chin, TA monogram. Rev. IVdex above, T VETTIVS in exergue, togate figure holding magistrates's scepter driving biga left; behind, stalk of grain. (Crawford 404/1; Sydenham 905; Vettia 2). Iridescent toning. Extremely fine. Estimate $1,000UP
The legendary Sabine king, Titus Tatius, who jointly ruled the Romans with Romulus appears on the obverse as a visual pun on the moneyer's cognomen, Sabinus. The reverse type, however, is obscure with the figure in the biga variously (and controversially) described as Sp. Vettius, who appointed Numa Pompilius as interrex, Numa himself, or even Hercules(!). While the legendary Sp. Vettius would provide a connection to the name of the moneyer, T. Vettius, Crawford is probably right to see a more generic judicial figure (indicated by the legend IVDEX) here.
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