Crawford 416/1a LIBO (L. Scribonius Libo), Denar

L. Scribonius Libo Denarius

Rome, 63 BC

Avers: Head of Bonus Eventus, with diadem right. In front BON EVENT; behind LIBO

Revers: The Puteal Scribonianum, decorated with garlands a 2 lyres, below the base hammer, above PVTEAL, below SCRIBON.

Sear 367, Crawford 416/1

"Bonus Eventus, literally translated as Good Outcome, was originally a god of agricultre to whom farmers addressed their prayers upon planting their crops. If the coin is dated to 63, the appearance of Bonus Eventus may be taken as a prayer to the god in anticipation of a good outcome to the measures being taken to counter Cataline and it can also be in thanks when the good outcome is archived.

The puteal was erected probably on on a spot of ground on the forum that had been struck by lightning (Festus: The Meaning of Words). Crawford: Hammer, tongs and anvil, symbols of Vulcan recall than the fact that the Puteal occupied the spot which it did because this had been struck by a thunderbolt." It is not possible to tell whether the Puteal was square or round, but Crawford and Gruber assumed that it was square and the variants showed 3 of its four sides. The vincinity of the Puteal was the wellknown haunt of moneylenders seeking judgement against their defaulting debtors. By the time this coin was minted, the Puteal surely called in mind monelending, especially action for default, rather than lightning."

Collezione : Roman Republic + Imperatorial