Here's the final coin I received this week: Roman Empire, Egypt, Alexandria. Vespasian (69- 79 AD), year 5 (72-3 AD). AE diobol. Obverse: Laureate bust of Vespasian right. Reverse: Bust of Isis right, wearing headdress of Hathor, LE (Year 5). Vespasian was born in 9 AD. He first gained prominence as a military leader during the invasion of Britain in 43, and in 66 Nero appointed him to head the effort to crush the Judaean revolt. He was in Judaea, conducting an efficient military campaign against the rebels, during the overthrow of Nero in 68 and the brief reigns of Galba and Otho in 68-69. While Vitellius was emperor, the troops in Judaea and Egypt proclaimed Vespasian as emperor, and with support of the governor of Syria was able to send ahead an army that defeated and killed Vitellius. Leaving his son Titus to finish mopping-up operations in Judaea, he then travelled to Rome. Vespasian proved an able administrator, stabilizing the Imperial treasury after the chaos of the short-lived successors of Nero and initiating several major building projects, most notably the Colosseum in Rome (which was finished by his son Titus). Most sources claim he was fair, merciful, generous, and not overly addicted to luxury. When he attained the throne, he was a widower with two adult sons, Titus and Domitian, both of whom would eventually succeed him. After his wife's death he never remarried, though he did take a long-term mistress, Antonia Caenis, who was his wife in all but name until her death in 75. He was renowned for his wit and plain-spoken manner, and, in modern political parlance, seems like the Roman Emperor you'd most want to have a beer with. Isis, shown on the reverse, was a major goddess in the traditional Egyptian pantheon. She was the wife of Osiris and mother of Horus, and when Osiris was killed and dismembered by Set she gathered up the pieces and resurrected him. Isis was a very popular goddess in Egypt, particularly in her roles as an ideal wife and mother, and her worship spread throughout the Greek and Roman worlds. The distinctive headdress she wears on this coin, a solar disc between cow horns, was initially associated with Hathor but was later appropriated for Isis. Many depictions of Isis show her nursing the infant Horus, which is thought to have inspired later Christian artwork of Mary with the infant Jesus. This is the third coin that I purchased from Marc Breitsprecher (Ancient Imports). The portrait of Vespasian is pretty decent, but I mainly bought it for the depiction of Isis.
Great coin! Very nice portrait. What does yours weigh? I have one that is the right diameter but is severely underweight for a diobol. Emmett doesn't list this reverse for Vespasian in an obol, but I don't know how loose or tight production was at that time. EGYPT, Alexandria. Vespasian year 4, CE 71/2 diobol? (weight is of an obol), 25.4 mm, 5.45 gm Obv: AVTOKKAIΣΣEBAOVEΣΠAΣIANOV; laureate head right Rev: bust of Isis left; LΔ in right field Ref: c.f. Emmett 217.4 (diobol)
From the ancient imports site: Attribution: Emmett 217 Date: 72-73 AD Obverse: Laureate head of Vespasian right Reverse: Bust of Isis right Size: 25.25 mm Weight: 10.32 grams
I totally agree => that's a pretty cool lookin' coin!! (congrats) ... I've now updated my want-list by one more winner!!
Nice busts of Isis Parthicus and TIF!! I only have one with Marcus Aurelius from Serdica. Thrace, Serdica. Marcus Aurelius AE20. Bust of Isis Obv: AY KAI M AYPH ANTΩNINOC Head facing r. Rev: CEPΔWN Bust of Isis decorated with lotus r.
