Vespasian denarius

I know the coin is rough, but I loved the portrait. I have to thank @David Atherton for alerting me to this one when it came up for sale. This is a very scarce coin. The coin is mentioned in the addenda of BMCRE where an example is cited for Colcester. There are 4 examples on Acsearch. There is one in Berlin mentioned on the OCRE site ( it has a hole in it). However, no British Museum example is given. It seems that the British Museum did not have an example when BMCRE was published. After searching the collection it appears that the British museum still does not have an example.

I really like these left facing portraits for Vespasian. I am very pleased to add this coin to my collection.

Post your own favourite coins of Vespasian.



Vespasian AR Denarius 77-78
Obv: Laureate head left: CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG
Rev: CERES stg l with corn ears poppy and sceptre; CERES AVGVST
Ric 970, BMC Page 425 add note to no. 300 left facing variant Colchester, RSC 54a (Colchester)
Purchased from Ebay July 2019

 

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I am glad you were able to acquire it Andrew.

Coincidentally, I purchased my example a dozen years ago this month from David Hendin.



I think the same engraver did both portraits on our coins.

 

Thanks for posting your example David. I was admiring it in your Forum gallery.

 

Scarce is a good word, yeah. I found 8 in Coryssa researching sales through 2013. Probably another couple or so since. Nice catch.

My dream Vespasian would be a left-facing with eagle reverse... because it would be very very close design-wise to a U.S. quarter :-D

Rasiel

 

Specifically, this one: http://www.coryssa.org/1551145

 

I would like to find one of those as well. It is a sharp looking coin.

 

yes, it speaks volumes in facial expression..

 

Vespasian is one of my favorite emperors, it's hard to pick just one coin so I'll show one I haven't shown much before, a sestertius that I won in a Frank Robinson auction a few years ago:

 

Wow, I love that portrait.

 

What are the odds ... I have an example from the same obverse die!

Vespasian
AR Denarius, 3.29g
Rome mint, 76 AD
RIC 848 (C). BMC 184. RSC 120.
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l.
Rev: COS VII across field; Eagle head l. standing on thunderbolt, on Altar. Very uncommon with thunderbolt showing.
Acquired from Bart Lewis, February 2004.

 

My favorite, though it's far from rare. It has facilitated a commercial transaction or two:

 

Of course you do!

 

Congrats Orfew

my favourites:





lefty:

 

Bought this one at least thirty years ago.

Frans

 

Love the detail on both sides.

 

Here you go.
https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/lo...rius_rome_ad_76__r_eagle/1172512/Default.aspx

 

LOL David I just sent him the same link by PM

 

It's a lovely example, nicely toned with the thunderbolt fully showing in the eagle's claws.

 

These are two of my favorite Vespasian denarii
. Denarius 69-70 A.D. Rv Judaea std in mourning RIC 2 2.96 grms Denarius 77-78 A.D. Rv. Prow of galley r. star above RIC942 3.55 grms

 

Beautiful coins, Terence!


Here's another commemorating the victory over Jerusalem.