Republica T. Vettius Sabinus - Denario. Roma, 70 a.C. - IVDEX.

Roman Republic - T. Vettius Sabinus - Silver Serrate Denarius (3.63 g, 19 mm). Rome, 70 BC.

Bareheaded and bearded head of King Tatius right; SABINVS downwards behind, S•C downwards before, A monogram (for Tatius) below chin /

Togate figure, holding reins and magistrate's sceptre, driving slow biga left; IVDEX above, stalk of grain to right, T•VETTIVS in exergue.

Crawford 404/1; RSC Vettia 2.

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.

Good Very fine condition. Nice and scarce coin !.

2023-967 (1316)