Now this is an unusual denarius for Vespasian. The portrait is similar to the spanish mint denarii of his predecessor Vitellius. This coin is interesting for another reason. Take a look at the reverse legend. This legend only occurs on 2 denarii for Vespasian RIC 1340 and RIC 1341. In many cases, the left facing portraits for Vespasian are far more rare than the right facing versions. That is not so with this coin. The right facing version is noted as R2 while my coin RIC 1340 is noted as R. While there are a number of these on ACSearch, when they do appear they generate quite a bit of interest and competition. There were a few of us who wanted this coin. Post your coins with unexpected or unusual portraits. Vespasian 69-70 CE AR Denarius Uncertain Spanish mint. (18 mm 3.10 g,) Obv: Head laureate left; IMP CAESAR VESPASIANUS AVG Rev: Victory stg left on globe holding palm; VICTORIA IMP VESPASIANI RIC 1340 (R) Ex: Zeus Numismatics Budget Auction 9 June 20 2020, Lot 655
Nice catch @Orfew. And that is a peculiar portrait indeed. I had to think about your portrait question. I don't believe I have that many (if any) 'unexpected or unusual portraits' though. Perhaps the one below of Vespasian is a bit peculiar, because of it's little head.
Congrats on the snare, @Orfew ! That coin is so hot, it singed itself! Cool dark patina... almost like a fire soot surface. I was always interested in the Victory dancing on the globe reverse, as well as any Sinister Emperor bust.
Great addition Andrew! For me, the most interesting thing about these Spanish issues is the mysterious mint that produced them. Here is what I wrote for my example in my Forvm Gallery: 'The mint is uncertain, but the reverse type of Victory and Globe was struck under Vitellius at Tarraco and the prominence of left facing busts of Galba and Vitellius from that mint suggests a Spanish location despite the different styles between the two series. Future die links will most likely clear the matter up. My hunch is that it is indeed Tarraco (as assigned in BMCRE) and the style differences can be explained by different engravers working at the mint and/or the elapsed time between the issues. The Paris specimen (BNC 30) is attributed to Rome.' Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.15g Uncertain Spanish mint, 69-70 AD Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l. Rev: VICTORIA IMP VESPASIANI; Victory stg. l. on globe, with wreath and palm RIC 1340 (R). BMC 362. RSC 630. BNC 30. Ex Private Collection; acquired from Incitatus Coins, December 2012.
BTW, that is one rare denarius! It took me many years to acquire my 2 specimens. The vast majority of the seated Pax types are dated COS VI - probably the single most common denarius of the reign. Regarding the portrait, the small heads became the norm around the time your coin was struck.
Funny story. Its one of my older coins in my collection. I couldnt attribute it at the time and when doing some research I found an older thread of you with a cos VII. Et voila! Oh, and its a Lanz coin, so probably fake ;-) And thank you for the info on the small head, did not know that!
@Orfew congrats on your latest rarity and thanks for sharing the story. Here's a Vespasian that I liked for its deviation from what I think of as a standard portrait. Given the year I also wondered - why so non-standard? Vespasian, AD 69-79, AR Denarius, Rome mint, struck AD 74 Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right Rev: PON MAX TR P COS V, Winged caduceus Ref: RIC II 703
