A Workman-like Vespasian

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by David Atherton, Dec 18, 2018.

  1. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Nothing overtly spectacularly new this week - just an average, ordinary Vespasian middle bronze.

    V322b (2).jpg Vespasian
    Æ As, 10.55g
    Rome mint, 71 AD
    RIC 322 (R). BMC 612.
    Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
    Rev: S C in field; Eagle stg. facing on globe, wings open, head r.
    Ex eBay 20 November, 2018. Ex Heritage.

    The eagle on globe type was sparingly struck at Rome on the As issues. Introduced during the great bronze mintage of 71, the type harkens back to a similar reverse struck for Divus Augustus under Tiberius and symbolises Vespasian as Augustus' worthy successor. The type was struck much more frequently at Lugdunum.

    I won this piece on eBay last month but just now got around to cataloguing and photographing it. Although not a 'wow' type of coin, it has a certain dignified beauty. The lovely dark green patina helps. It's not fully cleaned, even so, I'll keep it as is.

    Feel free to post your average/ordinary coins!
     
    Last edited: Dec 18, 2018
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  3. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    That coin is well-centered and well-patinated. It's just seen circulation. It served its purpose -- to facilitate commerce -- and did it well. I'm sure that coin's surface contains traces of centurion sweat, gladiator blood, lamp oil and pagan altar smoke!

    Here's a workaday Vespasian -- a well-circulated denarius with the Pax seated left reverse:

    Vespasian COS ITER TR POT denarius.jpg

    So unremarkable that Sulzer had two copies back in the 18th century:

    Capture.JPG
     
    Last edited: Dec 18, 2018
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  4. Jay GT4

    Jay GT4 Well-Known Member

    Nice honest coin David. Here's a very similar (average) coin to yours with an above average story to it...and it's the oldest pedigree coin in my collection

    Vespasianeagle.jpg

    IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS VIII PP
    Laureate head of Vespasian right

    SC
    Eagle standing facing on globe, head right, wings spread

    Lugdunum mint

    77-78 AD

    8.77g


    RIC 1237 (C3); Sear 2362

    From the collection of Gordon Wyatt Goldfinch (1895-1918) of Elfindale Road, London.
    With hand written old ticket citing #209 collection number.
    Ex-Artancient Ltd.

    Private Goldfinch was a passionate collector of Imperial Roman coinage. His personal catalog of coins dates to August 1910 when he was just 15 years of age. Goldfinch volunteered for service in 1914 with the 2nd London Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. He died in service on March 28th, 1918 at the age of 23.
     
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  5. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    Nice workaday Vespasian As, David. I like its colors/patination.

    I just got this one a week ago or so - it is a dupondius, but it came in a Littleton Coin Co. flip described as an as. The radiate crown is visible and it is clearly brass, so I am pretty sure I described it right.
    Vespasian - Dupondius FELICITAS Nov 27 2018 (0).jpg

    Vespasian - Dupondius FELICITAS Nov 27 2018 (0a).jpg
    Vespasian Æ Dupondius
    (74 A.D.)
    Rome Mint

    IMP CAES VESP AVG P M T P COS V CENS, radiate head left / FELICITAS PVBLICA S-C, Felicitas standing facing, head left, holding caduceus and cornucopiae.
    RIC 716; Cohen 152.
    (10.30 grams / 26 mm)
     

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  6. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    And that's why I love ancient coins! Even the 'ordinary' pieces have a story to tell.
     
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  7. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Nice example of the Lugdunum style. Great story behind it too!
     
  8. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Yes, you are correct. And it's a very nice example of a 'workman-like' Vespasian.
     
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  9. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

  10. Andres2

    Andres2 Well-Known Member

    I like the eagle on globe Jay.

    Here are 2 Vespa's in average condition , but I like 'm both:

    P1170483.JPG

    P1170507.JPG
     
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