While this is not a rare coin I love the reverse with Vespasian driving the quadriga. Though there is some wear on the portrait I still really like it. it almost seems that he is smiling. There is another reason to love this coin, it has a great provenance. It was owned by E.E.Clain Stefanelli. Here and her husband were curators of the coin collection at the Smithsonian. She also wrote a number of books on coins. I cannot wait to get this ones I have just ordered more abaft trays and a new case. It will have a place there. Please post any coins of Vespasian coins with a quadriga, or coins with a pedigree. Vespasian AR Denarius Antioch Mintn-Stefanell (16.5mm 3.30g) Obv: Head laureate right;ns with a pedigree Rev:Vespasian driving slow quadriga RIC 1559 Ex: E.E,.Clain-Stefanelli Ex: NAC sale 92, 2016 Lot 2132 Ex: Naville Numismatics Live Auction 61 Lot 387
A few years later Trajan, denarius Rome mint. Struck circa AD 107-108. Obv. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P P, laureate bust right, slight drapery on shoulder. Rev. COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC, Trajan riding right in triumphal quadriga, holding sceptre in left hand and laurel branch in right, cart decorated with figures. RIC 139
Nice one @Orfew. That provenance is really great as well. My coins with quadrigas (quadrigae?) below. No flavians though, and no provinance... [edit]: I just noted that the description of the reverse of the Claudius type, mentions the cart as a 'slow quadriga'. Some desciptions add tensa to the description. I think there's a difference between a quadriga and tensa, so my description would be incorrect. Or am I wrong?
A tensa is a sacred vehicle. See for example this coin... Divus Vespasian(us) RIC II 361 (Titus), RSC 146. Divus Vespasian, struck under Titus, denarius. Rome mint, 80-81 AD. Obv. DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS, laureate head right. Rev. EX S C in exergue, slow quadriga left, car ornamented with swag across front, two figures brandishing spears, Victories flanking quadriga above. 18 mm 3,23 g. This coin, minted by Titus in honor of his deceased father, is a 10th anniversary commemorative of the triumph held in Rome after the reconquest of Judaea. The quadriga on the reverse is a tensa, a chariot shaped like a temple in which the attributes of the divine Vespasian were borne to the Circus in the procession before games, an honor to the deceased Vespasian voted to him by the Senate, EX S C (source: information from Curtis L. Clay).
PROVENANCE - pedigree Some of my EE Clain-Stefanelli RR Anon after 211 BCE AR Quinarius 2.12g Helmeted hd Roma - Dioscuri riding Cr 68-2b was 44-6 RSC 3 ex Clain-Stefanelli Carthage - Sicily AR Litra 4th C BCE 9.5mm 0.65g Palm Tree Horse Head SNG Cop 74 EE Clain-Safanelli RARE Campania CAPUA AE 14-5mm 216-211 Hera Oscan Grain ear Hannibal capital Italia SNG Fr 517 SNG ANS 219 HN Italy 500 EE Clain Stefanelli
Both the Vespasian and Titus in quadriga are some of my favorite types. Great catch on that one, I almost went for it but I’m glad we didn’t complete.
Super provenance with that one Andrew! For comparison, here is the extremely rare Rome mint version of the type (why it wasn't struck in greater quantity there is a mystery!). Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.08g Rome mint, 71 AD Obv: IMP CAES VE-SP AVG P M; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: No legend. Vespasian laureate, standing in triumphal quadriga r., horses pacing, holding branch in r. hand and sceptre in l. RIC 49 (R2), this coin. BMC p. 14 note. RSC 643 var. BNC -. Hendin 1481. Acquired from Ephesus Numismatics, December 2005.
The only thing worse then a CT pal letting you know they bid you up on a coin, is when you bid a buddy up! I've had both experiences on this wonderful forum. Back on top (ish)... I don't have a Vespy riga, however one of my most recent additions is a lovely, imo, sestertius with eagle on globe reverse:
Here are my Rome types, Vespasian up top and two of Titus. And Vespasian from the Antioch mint: I have more of this type that I haven't gotten around to photographing yet.
VESPASIAN (69-79). Denarius. Antioch. "Judaea Capta" issue. Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII, laureate head right. Rev: Vespasian, holding sceptre, branch and reins driving quadriga right. RIC² 1559; RPC II 1931; Hendin 1491.
My Emperor with quadriga is a bit later. Its worn but identifiable Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. Æ As (24mm, 9.34 g.) Rome mint, Special emission, AD 229. IMP SEV ALEXANDER AVG, laureate head right, / P M TR P VIII COS III P P, emperor in ceremonial quadriga right, holding eagle-tipped sceptre, SC in ex. Cohen 379. RIC IV 498a, Sear 8080 scarce
My Emperor with quadriga is a bit later. Its worn but identifiable Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. Æ As (24mm, 9.34 g.) Rome mint, Special emission, AD 229. IMP SEV ALEXANDER AVG, laureate head right, / P M TR P VIII COS III P P, emperor in ceremonial quadriga right, holding eagle-tipped sceptre, SC in ex. Cohen 379. RIC IV 498a, Sear 8080 scarce View attachment 1610487
TITUS AR Denarius OBVERSE: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M, laureate head right REVERSE: TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII, quadriga left with corn ears in car Struck at Rome, 79AD 3.2g, 17.5mm RIC 8, RSC 276
