Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 385 26 October 2016
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L. Scribonius Libo. 62 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.79 g, 7h). Rome mint. Diademed head of Bonus Eventus right; LIBO behind; BON EVENT before / Puteal Scribonianum (Scribonian Well), decorated with garland and two lyres; anvil at base; PVTEAL above; SCRIBON in exergue. Crawford 416/1c; Sydenham 928; Scribonia 8b; Type as RBW 1502. VF, toned, obverse banker's mark.
From the Andrew McCabe Collection, purchased from Poinsignon, France, 2010.
This rare anvil type is customarily described as the rarest of the three symbols on this Scribonia type. Ursula Kampmann in Im Schatten der Adler Roms. Münzen der Republik aus der Sammlung Wyprächtiger, Zurich 2011, proposes that there are in fact four symbols, with the cap of liberty being the fourth, and apparently badly engraved anvils (this type) actually represent a cap of liberty. Support for this thesis comes from ancient wellheads that includes Vulcan's symbols of tongs, hammer, and anvil; some also show a head of Vulcan or his headgear, of course being the pileus or cap of liberty. This coin plainly shows an anvil and not a cap. [A. McCabe]
From the Andrew McCabe Collection, purchased from Poinsignon, France, 2010.
This rare anvil type is customarily described as the rarest of the three symbols on this Scribonia type. Ursula Kampmann in Im Schatten der Adler Roms. Münzen der Republik aus der Sammlung Wyprächtiger, Zurich 2011, proposes that there are in fact four symbols, with the cap of liberty being the fourth, and apparently badly engraved anvils (this type) actually represent a cap of liberty. Support for this thesis comes from ancient wellheads that includes Vulcan's symbols of tongs, hammer, and anvil; some also show a head of Vulcan or his headgear, of course being the pileus or cap of liberty. This coin plainly shows an anvil and not a cap. [A. McCabe]