Lot 4464

Description

T. Vettius Sabinus, (70 B.C.), silver denarius, Rome Mint, (3.90 g), obv. Head of Tatius to right TA(ligated) below under chin, to left SABINVS, and to right S.C, border of dots, rev. togate figure holding sceptre, in walking biga to left IVDEX above but mostly off flan, in exergue T. VETTIVS, (S.339, C.404/1, BMC 3370, RSC Vettia 2 [p.96]). Serrated edge, toned, off centred reverse, very fine, rare.

Ex Dr V.J.A. Flynn Collection and previously from Noble Numismatics Sale 107 (lot 3636) and also coming from an old Hungarian collection.
The moneyer was probably the praetor in 59 B.C., who received Africa as his province. The head of Tatius, king of the Sabines, refers to the claim of his family to Sabine origin. The meaning of the reverse is not certain but may refer to Spurius Vettius, the interrex, who supported the election of Numa.