Another Vespasian Tetradrachm

Personally, July has turned into the "month of the tetradrachm". Here is number 4 for the month.


AR Tetradrachm
Antioch mint, 69-70 AD
RPC 1938 (3 spec.)
Obv: AYTOKPAT KAIΣA OYEΣΠAΣIANOY; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: ETOYΣ NEOY IEPOY B; Eagle standing r., on thunderbolt; in r. field, palm branch

A very rare RPC Group 1 tetradrachm from Antioch. The style is "Alexandrian". It's highly probable the coin was engraved and struck at Alexandria and then sent to Syria for circulation. Kevin Butcher speculates these "Alexandrian" styled tets were sent to southern Syria to fulfil coin orders the cities in that region may have placed with the mint at Alexandria.

Unusually for a Group 1 tetradrachm, the portrait is without an aegis and resembles Titus more than Vespasian.

 

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Impressive coin. Weight and size?

 

Oops. I forgot that again. 25mm, 13.88g. These Group 1 tets tend to be quite chunky too.

 

I love dem fat boys. Very nice.

 

Wonderful coin, as usual David.

My only one:


Vespasian (69 - 79 A.D.)
AR Tetradrachm
ANTIOCH, SYRIA, 69 A.D.
O: AVTOKPATWP KAICAP CEBACTOC OVECPACIANOC, laureate head right
R: ETOYC NEOY IEPOY A, Eagle standing left on club, palm branch in left field.
23mm
14.4g
RPC 197

 

Wonderful Tet, vespasian!!!

I definitely have to go after a few of them in the near future...

Congrats!!

 

Although struck several years later, your coin is "Alexandrian" in style as well.

 

Nice 'un David, lovely eagle.