Extremely Rare Pansa Denarius

CNG 90, Lot: 1318. Estimate $300. Sold for $1000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

C. Vibius C.f. Pansa. 90 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.73 g, 9h). Rome mint. Laureate head of Apollo right; PANS[A] behind, nothing below chin; all within bead and reel border / Minerva driving galloping quadriga right, holding trophy, spear, and reins; C • VIBIVS • C • F below. Crawford 342/5b var. (beaded border and control symbol below chin); Sydenham 684 var. (same); Vibia 2 var. (same); T.V. Buttrey, “Some Roman Republican Coins at Yale” in NC 1964, 6 (same dies); Buttrey, Cosa 1025 (this coin referenced in note). Good VF, attractively toned. Struck with the most artistic obverse die of the series. Extremely rare with bead and reel border; the third example known.

From the Bruce R. Brace Collection. Ex Spink Numismatic Circular LXVI.6 (June 1958), no. 4245.

Because of the beautiful artistry of these dies, Buttrey believes this is the earliest of Pansa’s Apollo Denarii.