Vettia

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Vettia gens. A plebian family. The following coins are attributed to it:

1. Obv: Laureate head of Jupiter to right; behind, a letter of the |alphabet|. Rev: P SABIN, Victory crowning a trophy; in the ex. Q (quinarius); in the field a letter of the |alphabet| as on the obv; silver.

2. Obv: SABINUS, bare head of Tatius to right; in front TA and S C. Rev: T VETTIVS in ex.; IVDEX above, male figure in biga to left, holding the reins and a sceptre; car of corn behind; silver.

The Publius Sabinus mentioned on number 1 is an unknown person, but probably belonged to the Vettia gens as the praenomen Publius and cognomen Sabinus were often borne about the time (104-84 BC) that this coin must have been issued.

The |Titus| Vettius Sabinus on number 2 is probably |Titus| Vettius, praetor in 59 BC as mentioned by Cicero. It seems as if the moneyer counted his descent from the Sabines and thus took as a type a portrait of Tatius, King of the Sabines. As to IVDEX there is a difficulty. It is thought that the word is not |part| of the name of the moneyer, but refers to the type, and that perhaps there is here represented Tatius or Numa, as judge and King in his chariot: an opinion approved by the late Cavedoni. Eckhel mentions a Spurius Vettius, who was Interrex, and put it to the vote whether Numa should be King.