Lot 4717

Description

Bithynia, Nicaea, Julius Caesar, issued 47-46 B.C., AE assarion, 25mm, (7.60 g), issued by C. Vibius Pansa, proconsul and dated CY 236 = 47/6 B.C.), obv. bare head of Julius Caesar to right, traces of NIKAIE**W*N, rev. Nike advancing right, holding wreath and palm, to left and right **EPI GAI[OU], OUIBIOU PANSA* monograms to left and right, **SLZ* (date) in exergue, (S.3794, RPC I 2026, Sear Imperators (Appendix 2) 697, Weiser, Nikaia -, SNG von Aulock 535, BMC 8-9, Waddington 11, SNG Cop. -). Fine/good fine and rare.

Ex Dr. Adrian Carr Collection.
This type was the first anywhere to feature the portrait of Julius Caesar. C. Vibius Pansa was part of the Caesarian faction at Rome, and probably owed his proconsulship to his patron. The only other definite lifetime portrait of Caesar from the provincial series was an issue of circa 45 B.C., at Lampsacus (see RPC I 2268-9). Both of these issues preceeded the earliest appearance of his portrait at Rome, on the denarii of M. Mettius in January, 44 B.C. Caesar was for a time Governor of Bithynia.