Die Triumvirn und die Proscriptionen (The Triumvirate and Proscriptions in 43 BC). by K. Leutemann. Public Domain engaving from Otto von Corvin's Illustrierte Weltgeschichte für das Volk, 1880.
Today we return to the Roman Republic after Caesar's assassination (42 BC) as the triumvirate prepared to avenge his death and a denarius of C. Vibius Varus.
The output of Rome's mint in 42 BCE was extraordinarily high with the triumvirate raising funds and minting coins individually and from Rome to fund their war effort against the murderers of Julius Caesar. Proscriptions to execute and appropriate the wealth of "public enemies" and excessive taxes were all part of the effort to raise funds. This coin is a bit underweight and not particularly well struck, and from an issue is scarce and not well struck.
Imperatorial Rome, C. Vibius Varus, AR Denarius 42, AR 2.98g
Obv: Helmeted head of Minerva r., wearing aegis
Rev: C·VIBIVS – [VARVS] Hercules standing facing, holding club in r. hand and lion’s skin over l. arm
Ref: Babelon Vibia 26. Sydenham 1140. Sear Imperators 194. RBW 1741. Crawford 494/38.
Ernest Babelon documented most of what we know today in 1885.
"Coinage in AUC 711-712 (43-42 BC).
This moneyer formed a monetary college with L. Livineius Regulus, L. Mussidius Longus and P. Clodius Turrinus. His three colleagues take the title of quatuorvir auro publico feriundo ("4 men for the striking of public gold"); on his own he mits only under his name. Mommsen placed this college in 716; the treasure of Pieve-Quinta has shown that it dates from the years 711 and 712 (43-42 BC). We know nothing of the career of C. Vibius Varus, who is known only from medals. In addition to the coins that he and his colleagues had struck in the names of Lepidus, Mark Antony and Octavius, each of them issued, under the authority of the senate, aurei and denarii that do not bear the names of the triumvirs and are prior to the constitution of the triumvirate on 27 November 711. Also, the types that appear on these coins are betweem them a great analogie. Those of Vibius Varus allude to either the history of the Vibii or Roman power, its good fortune, and it's victories, all of which are common at the end of the republic. Minerva and Hercules allude to the fight ahead with the Republican forces led by Brutus and Cassius. The goddess of war and Hercules as allies of the Triumvirs in avenging the murder of Caesar'.
Paully's Realencyclapaedia (RE:20) is not particular verbose about our moneyer.
"C. Vibius Varus. Otherwise an unknown moneyer around 716 = 38 BCE. His name appears on the aurei as C. VEIBIVS VAARVS, in an archaic spelling for the time of minting, and on the denarii as C. VIBIVS VARVS (cf. W. Schulze Zur Geschichte lateinischer Eigennamen, p. 249, note 3). His colleague was P. Clodius (cf. Münzer in Vol. IV, p. 65, no. 10). Known from his minting are an aureus and a denarius in various types. Babelon II, 547f.; A. H. Grueber Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum I (1910), pp. 587–590 (specific references), and Plates III, LVIII 6–12. E. A. Sydenham The Coinage of the Roman Republic (1952), pp. 1138ff."and he is mentioned with a relative REL59 :
The coins are all that we know about this moneyer who minted coins for Octavian and Mark Antony.
His "Biography" at the British Museum is pretty short: "Republican moneyer, known only from his coins. These are inscribed C·VIBIVS VARVS or C·VEIBIVS VAARVS."
Crawford, in Roman Republican Coinage, also has little to say:
Here's another coin from this same series.
Imperatorial Rome, C. Vibius Varus, 42 BC, AR Denarius, Rome mint
Obv: Head of young Bacchus or Liber, wearing wreath of ivy and grapes, hair collected into a knot behind, one lock and fillet of wreath falling down his neck
Rev: Panther springing left toward garlanded altar surmounted by Bacchic mask and thyrsus; C • VIBIVS in exergue, VARVS upward to right
Ref: Crawford 494/36
The themes of this coin reflect themes of renewal and liberation - liberation from tyranny was a key propaganda theme for Octavian and Mark Antony in their struggle against Caesar's assassins. Victory and transcendence could inspire both soldiers and the general population in times of uncertainty and upheaval. The Bacchic imagery could also appeal to soldiers, with Liber/Bacchus inspiring bravery and euphoria in battle.
C. Vibius Varus, the moneyer responsible for minting this coin, may have had a personal or familial connection to Bacchic rituals. Varus might have been referencing his family's connection to the god or aligning with the triumvirs' cause, emphasizing victory, celebration, and prosperity.
References:
Corvin, Otto von, et al. Illustrierte Weltgeschichte für das Volk. Vols. 1-7, Leipzig, Otto Spamer, 1880. Collection of University of Wisconsin - Madison.
Babelon, Ernest. Description des Monnaies de la République Romaine. Vol. 2, Paris, Rollin et Feuardent, 1885, pp.547-550.
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