Various members of the gens Fabia, a prominent Roman patrician family, became famous for obtaining multiple consecutive consulships during the early republican period. The Fabii claimed descent from both Hercules and Evander. Individuals also distinguished themselves as military leaders, scholars and artists. The moneyer, quaestor C. Fabius Hadrianus, was probably related to the infamous Fabius Hadrianus, praetor in 84 BC in the Roman province Africa.

Coins of the quaestor Fabius display a wading bird (either a heron, flamingo or an ibis - the latter was often associated with good fortune) on the reverse. Previously the Fabii had been associated with birds - the Fabii Buteones, for instance, derived their cognomen from a bird of prey (also perceived as a good omen) which had settled on the prow of a ship commanded by the consul Fabius who had conducted the siege of Drepanum during the second Punic war.

Obv. Turreted and veiled bust of Cybele facing to the right, behind EX A PV reading upwards (ex argento publico - bullion taken from the public treasury at the time of the Social war).

Rev. Victory in a biga, holding a goad and reins; below the horses a control-mark and a bird, C. FABI. C. F. in exergue.