I am waiting for more interesting Domitian coins become available. In the meantime I picked up this little beauty. On the reverse of this issue of Ephesus there is a star in the exergue. This is a group 8 denarius minted in 74 CE. These tend to be rare coins but this example is not extremely so. I really loved the portrait on this one and reverse is nice as well. However, the reason I wanted this was that little star on the reverse. I have wanted one of these since I first became aware of their existence. I blame @David Atherton and @Jay GT4 for this one. They both have examples on their forum galleries that not only have the star in the exergue but they have annulets around the chair on the reverse. I was intrigued by the "Star" mark and so I bought one. Anyway I cannot wait to get this one and take my own photos. In the meantime please feel free to post your coins of Ephesus, or coins of Vespasian. I have several coins of Ephesus for Vespasian. I highly recommend them for the excellent work of the engravers on the expressive portraits. Vespasian AR Denarius Ephesus 74 CE Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS V TR P P P: Head of Vespasian, laureate, right Rev: CONCORDIA AVG Ceres seated left on high-backed throne, holding grain ears, poppy, and cornucopia; star in exergue. RIC 1456 (R) RPC-852 (5 spec.)
That is a great portrait. I really like Vespasian portraits. I only have one Vespasian and it is in a less than good looking state so not worth sharing. Thanks for sharing yours!
One of these days I'll make a priority of getting an Ephesus Flavian or two. The artistry is so much nicer, to my eye, and since I'm not going for anything resembling a complete representation of Flavian types, why not wait for the "pretty"?
Thanks for the reply @TIF I agree, they are out there. You will know the right one when you see it. This next coin has what I consider a superb Ephesian portrait.
That's the reverse I hope to nab someday but I might be waiting a long time since I'd like to have one in a high-ish state of preservation and my budget would prefer a slug .
One cannot be too picky with that issue. Many of them are rare and it is a very attractive reverse. There is plenty of competition for these when they appear.
Those are all very attractive coins Doug. I love the style on the first one with the hooked nose portrait.
That's an outstanding coin Andrew. I Love the eastern style of all the Flavians. I don't have RIC 1456 but I do have RIC 1464, which is probably what you were referring
I went through my Eastern coins and found to my suprise the same type with a starmark in exergue Any idea of the meaning of this mark ? Love the style of these coins! Vespasian, denarius. RIC 1456, RSC 68. 74 AD, Ephesus mint. 2.66g, 19mm. Obv. IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS V TR P PP; laureate head right. Rev. CONCORDIA AVG; Ceres seated left, holding poppies & corn-ears in right hand & cornucopia in left, star in ex.
Unfortunately a match has been found for this coin on forgery network. http://www.forgerynetwork.com/asset.aspx?mode=6Q/zOXMHeZ0=&id=ZLeVUxaNQD4= Many thanks to @Nemo for contacting me and letting me know.
@Nemo beat me to it, I have the OP coin listed in my digital black cabinet. It shows up on eBay with some regularity. Speaking of fake Eastern Flavian denarii, this is another one to beware of.
