449/2var. Vibia (48 BC)

AR Denarius (Rome, 48 BC)

O/ Head of Liber right, wearing ivy-wreath; PANSA downwards behind. 

R/ Ceres walking left, with torch in each hand; plough before; C VIBIVS C F C N in a straight line on left.

3.80g; 18.5mm

Crawford 449/2var (54 obverse dies/60 reverse dies [2 reverse dies of this variety]).

- CGB, Internet Auction Juillet 2021, lot 99 (miscatalogued as RRC 342/3b).

Gaius Vibius C.f. C.n. Pansa Caetronianus

The reverse with the legend disposed in a straight line is a variety unrecorded by Crawford, although he noted a similar variety for 449/1. It is the second example to appear on the market, after that of CNG Electronic Auction 79 (17/12/2003), lot 113 (which catalogue does not mention the peculiarity). The dies are different, so it is not a simple mistake.