Vespasian Regnal Year One Tetradrachm

I'm very excited about my latest acquisition. It's an early Syrian tetradrachm of Vespasian struck in the summer of 69 AD.


Vespasian
AR Tetradrachm, 14.65g
Antioch mint, 69 AD
RPC 1953 (6 spec.)
Obv: AYTOKPA OYEΠACIANOC KAICAP CЄBACTOC; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: ЄTOYC NЄOY IЄPOY A; Eagle with wreath in beak standing, l. on club; in l. field, palm branch
Ex Pegasi BB151, 21 February 2017, lot 227.

The Syrian legions declared Vespasian emperor sometime in mid July. Soon afterwards, according to Tacitus in his Histories - 'At Antioch gold and silver currencies were struck.' The Judean provenance of many of these Syrian tetradrachms indicates they were used to pay the legionaries fighting the Jewish War. The style of this coin suggests Antioch as the mint. According to K. Butcher and M. Ponting these tetradrachms were struck at 70% silver fineness. It is interesting to note this tetradrachm was struck nearly 6 months before the senate in Rome recognised Vespasian as emperor and the first imperial coins in his name were struck by the mint in Rome.

Vespasian must have been a familiar figure to the Antiochene die engravers during the first few months of his reign because they did an outstanding job capturing a stylish veristic likeness of the old soldier.

My latest book purchase compliments my new coin very nicely.



Steve Mason's A History of The Jewish War is a fantastic critical analysis of the Jewish War and the events surrounding it. After reading it you will come away with the realisation that politics has not changed very much in the intervening 2000 years. Highly recommended if only for the chapter on Masada.

 

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Lovely coin, much better portrait then my year 4 yet.

 

Your regnal year 4 tet is in a completely different style, likely because it was struck in Alexandria for circulation in southern Syria. The Antiochene engravers were more veristic and less stylised than the Alexandrian ones.

 

Wow, a beautiful coin, and of great historical significance. Congrats!!

 

Very realistic portrait, and a lot of history in that coin. Congrats on another top pick up.

 

Amazingly cool OP-eagle (congrats, David-A)

... I only have this humble denarius to toss into your thread ...

 

Oh wow! Wonderful portrait!

 

Way to go David. Only a few more Flavians to go, right?

Outstanding portrait!!!!

 

LOL. Yea, only a 'few' more.

 

WOW !! I absolutely LOVE that TET!!!

The portrait is fantastic...coupled with the historical significance, it's a coin I'd be ecstatic to own.

 

The nose/chin symmetry on that one is killer...

Here's my only Vespasian:
Denarius, AD 74, RIC 703 S2299, RSC 362, BMC 138 (I think) (I have to add that because I know someone here will call me on it if it's wrong.)

 

Fantastic coin!

 

Great catch David.

 

This is a typical Roman stylized version with the permanent frown and huge Roman nose.

 

Stunning, absolutely stunning portrait! Lovely coin and historical, too!

 

The quality of the engraving, as well as the artistry of this portrait, are on a par with any of the Vespasian portraits I've seen from Rome and Lugdunum mints. Better than most, in fact. Along with the stellar reverse, this coin's a stunner!

 

Nice coin, am really starting to like tetradrachms and have seen some Vespasian ones I like too. Just so many things I like to buy...

 

Such a fantastic coin! I love the portrait.

 

Tremendous portrait and history, these are very high on my wish list!

 

Lifelike and expressive. Very nice!