A great bargain from eBay ... purchased primarily for the low price, but more importantly because of the fantastic portrait. When this coin was struck late in Vespasian's reign his portraits had evolved into the classic 'straining' style that has since become iconic. Vespasian Æ As, 11.76g Rome mint, 77-78 AD Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN COS VIII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l. Rev: S C in field; Spes stg. l., with flower RIC 1011 (C). BMC 739. BNC 776. Acquired from eBay, January 2023. Spes, the goddess of hope, is seen here as an 'heir apparent' type. She is represented on Roman coins as a young girl, reminiscent of earlier Greek cult statues depicting Elpis. H. Mattingly in BMCRE II says 'the flower held by Spes is an opening bud, she is raising her skirt in order to hasten forward'. Spes occurs quite commonly under Vespasian and is frequently paired up with all three Flavians as a hopeful expression of future dynastic success. And in hand. As always, thanks for looking/watching!
When on SC bronze coins, counterclockwise obv. legends are rare and only for the Flavians. I have a rare Domitian with a counterclockwise obv. legend:
During the Flavian era left facing portraits are generally more rare than right facing ones, especially so under Domitian! Although, under Titus as Augustus they seem more common on his bronzes.