A Plate Coin?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by David Atherton, Feb 27, 2020.

  1. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    My latest addition has a lot of neat things going on with it. Firstly, it's a handsome Vespasian Fortuna sestertius with a rare variant bust left (all his sestertii with left busts are indeed quite scarce). And secondly, according to the seller, it is a Cayón plate coin (Cayón 39). It's also in fine style and near EF condition.

    V158.jpg
    Æ Sestertius, 26.08g
    Rome mint, 71 AD
    Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l.
    Rev: FORTVNAE REDVCI; S C in exergue; Fortuna stg. l., with branch and rudder on globe, and cornucopiae
    RIC 158 (R2). BMC 757. BNC-.
    Acquired from Praefectus Coins, February 2020.

    Vespasian struck a massive bronze issue in 71 which easily dwarfs any other of the reign. The issue is dominated by the Judaea Capta series, but many other important themes are employed by the mint. This Fortuna reverse carries an important propaganda message concerning the safe return of the imperial household. Mattingly in BMCRE explains it as 'the Fortuna who brings Titus home in June 71; the branch which she holds, beside her own rudder and cornucopiae, is either the olive branch of Pax or the laurel of the home-returning conqueror.' Titus had been absent from Rome completing the successful siege of Jerusalem and was en route home in Spring 71.

    Additionally, the coin came slabbed. Needless to say it is free from the plastic tomb!

    20200227_165051.jpg

    I do not have access to Cayón to double check the attribution. If anyone can be of help I would supremely appreciate it!
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    What an outstanding coin! Congratulations on your new acquisition!
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  4. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Beautiful David.
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  5. Victor_Clark

    Victor_Clark all my best friends are dead Romans Dealer

    I just catalogued this example, which I wish was as nice as yours.

    Vespasian Rome 158.JPG

    I can't help with Cayón as I only have volume III
     
  6. Gary R. Wilson

    Gary R. Wilson ODERINT, DUM METUANT — CALIGULA

    What a beautiful coin David. It could be the centerpiece of any collection. Congratulations.
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  7. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    A gorgeous coin! You’re totally killing this new collecting bronzes thing, David. :)
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  8. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Amazing coin David! A great addition to your collection.
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  9. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Fantastic coin, great pick up David.
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  10. Parthicus Maximus

    Parthicus Maximus Well-Known Member

    Beautiful coin! Congrats with adding this masterpiece to your collection.
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  11. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    That's a stunner. The portrait really got me.
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  12. Andres2

    Andres2 Well-Known Member

    Great pick up David, Congrats.

    also issued as Dupondius:

    P1170507.JPG
     
  13. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Superb! Nice.
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  14. Ocatarinetabellatchitchix

    Ocatarinetabellatchitchix Well-Known Member

    That's a beauty. By the way, aren't you the guy who was only collecting Flavian's silver not so long ago ??? ;)
     
  15. Barry Murphy

    Barry Murphy Well-Known Member

    What reference is Cayon? For some reason I'm drawing a blank.

    Barry Murphy
     
  16. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Yes, that would be me. A year and a half ago I took the plunge into bronze as well and couldn't be happier. My new collecting focus is to systematically collect silver and representatively collect bronze of the Flavian dynasty. Hopefully I can put together a collection of some interest with those goals as a guide.
     
    Orfew likes this.
  17. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Cayón, J. - Los Sestercios del Imperio Romano (Madrid, 1984). Three volumes.
     
    Roman Collector likes this.
  18. Barry Murphy

    Barry Murphy Well-Known Member

  19. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    It's a tough reference to locate. I would love to have vol I, but would likely not get much practical use out of it.
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2020
  20. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Thanks to @curtislclay I now have confirmation that the coin is indeed a Cayón plate coin. Also, he provided this additional provenance: Santamaria, 4 June 1952, Signorelli Collection Part II, lot 1256.
     
  21. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    That is great David. I love it when extra provenance is found.
     
    David Atherton likes this.
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page