ROMAN AND BYZANTINE COINS
Julius Caesar. As (?) (Brass, 23mm, 7.60g 12), Nikaia, struck in the name of the governor of Bithynia et Pontus, the proconsul C. Vibius Pansa Caetronianus, year 236 = 47/6 BC. ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ Bare head of Caesar to right. Rev. ΕΠΙ ΓΑΙΟΥ / ΟΥΙΒΙΟΥ / ΠΑΝΣΑ // ϚΛΣ Nike advancing to right, holding wreath in her right hand and palm in her left; to right and below left, monogram. BMC 8. RPC 2026. Rare. With an attractive, idealized portrait of Caesar and a dark green/black patina. Some marks of cleaning, otherwise, good very fine.
From a European collection.
Vibius Pansa was a close friend of Caesar's and prior to Caesar's death had been designated consul for 43. He was joint consul with Aulus Hirtius and tried to play a moderating role between the partisans of Octavian and Antony. In the end while bringing up reinforcements for Hirtius he was ambushed and badly wounded at Forum Gallorum on 14 April 43: Hirtius rescued him but he died of his wounds on the 23rd.