Lot 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. Estimate $800UP
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.
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| Realized $1,151 |
