Let's be Fair

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by David Atherton, Feb 26, 2020.

  1. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    When one thinks of Vespasian fairness is one attribute that comes to mind. His sense of justice and fairness was well known in antiquity. So, I think the following coin from Lyon is quite fitting for the old down to earth soldier.

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    Vespasian
    Æ As, 10.19g
    Lyon mint, 77-78 AD
    Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS VIII P P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
    Rev: AEQVITAS AVGVSTI; S C in field; Aequitas stg. l., with scales and rod
    RIC 1228 (C3). BMC 842. BNC 839.
    Ex eBay, February 2020.

    Vespasian inherited a financial mess upon his accession in 69. His top priority was putting the state on a sound financial footing. Symbolic of that righting of the empire was the common reverse type of Aequitas. Aequitas holding her scales and measuring rod was probably based on a cult image of the deity. She first shows up as an imperial virtue on the coinage under Galba, a virtue that Vespasian was eager to emulate. This As from late in the reign was struck at Lugdunum (modern Lyon) in a fairly substantial issue, likely produced to rectify a bronze coinage shortage in the Western provinces.

    Feel free to post your coins that feature a reverse suited to the person on the obverse.
     
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2020
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  3. octavius

    octavius Well-Known Member

    I think this coin might meet your qualifications of the reverse mirroring the obverse personality's quality traits. Nero, ever the "ham" performer is here depicted playing the lyre. He spent much of his time playing this instrument in front of audiences at home and in Greece. Even at the moment of his death he is purported to have said "Qualis artifex pereo." O , what an artist dies.


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  4. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    That is quite a sympathetic portrait of Vespasian. Congrats David on adding this interesting coin.
     
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  5. svessien

    svessien Senior Member

    Those are two wonderful coins. Really. I have been wanting a Nero with Apollo/emperor playing lyre for quite some time.

    As for Caracalla, there are many angles to that cat. Here he is with Moneta on the reverse. If we imagine her scales with 100 denarii worth of antoninanii in one cup, it would take about 75 denarii in the other cup to balance the weight.

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  6. kaparthy

    kaparthy Well-Known Member

    Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher who took up military duty on the frontier, and Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom as well as strategy in war.

    marcus_obv.jpg marcus_rev.jpg
     
  7. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    As Pescennius Niger called himself IVSTus or the Just, Septimius Severus issued coins from 'Emesa' mint showing SEVERus or the Severe. This seems to be an early version of 'Might beats Right'. This one is a bit less common version VICTOR SEVER AG.
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    Those who believed Pescennius was the Just emperor were soon silenced.
    VICTOR IVST AVG
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    I would like to know the exact manner the mint was told to make the change on coins of Septimius. The change must have been slow since the incorrect VICTOR IVST AVG coins are found with all the early Septimius obverse legends from the first, undated version to the eventual standard COSII .
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  8. Andres2

    Andres2 Well-Known Member

    Hadrian the travel emperor, could not do without his galley:

    P1180398.JPG
     
  9. kevin McGonigal

    kevin McGonigal Well-Known Member

    I think it ran in the family
    I think it ran in the family. Titus, sestertius, 34.75 mm, 24.o9 grams. He made a desert and called it peace. IMG_1322[4773]Titus obv..jpg IMG_1323[4777]Titus rev..jpg
     
  10. oldfinecollector

    oldfinecollector Well-Known Member

    Really this is some of the Hadrian coins I love the most with boat reverse.
     
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  11. Cheech9712

    Cheech9712 Every thing is a guess

    Cool looking
     
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