Another recent 'white whale' NAC win. A super rare (possibly unique) early military issue of Vespasian with a neat provenance. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.23g Uncertain mint, 69-71 AD Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: CONSEN EXERCIT (in two upright parallel lines); soldiers, two, each holding aquila and clasping hands RIC 1382 (R3, this coin?). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -. Ex NAC 125, 24 June 2021, lot 507. DNW A11, 27 September 2011, lot 2198 (part). Ex John Quinn Collection. Fascinating coins often come out of civil war. In late October 69 the Second Battle of Cremona was fought between the legions of Vitellius and Vespasian. It resulted in the utter defeat of the Vitellian side and their slow retreat towards Rome. Not long afterwards the Spanish legions went openly for Vespasian, which up until that point had only been neutrally friendly toward him. Coins were quickly struck for Vespasian in the newly won province. Most of these are attributed to Tarraco and an unknown Spanish mint. Intriguingly, a small military issue was contemporaneously struck at an uncertain mint somewhere in the western empire - Mattingly thought perhaps Aquileia. The issue contains some stylistic affinities with the Spanish series, but more importantly, recent metal analysis by K. Butcher and M. Ponting show the silver content is almost identical to that of the Spanish coins. It is very likely these early military denarii were also struck in Spain in late 69 soon after the province went over to Vespasian. This iconic reverse type of two soldiers clasping hands with the legend CONSEN EXERCIT (in two vertical lines!) symbolises the harmony of the legions coming together for Vespasian. The propaganda value of such a reverse type cannot be underestimated. The coin likely would have circulated amongst the troops newly won over or the Vitellian forces that were wavering just after Cremona. Oddly, the type is very rare and not struck in any large quantities, probably because the window of time for such an appropriate issue was very narrow, perhaps only a few weeks. The type is listed as unique in RIC uncertain military issue group 5 (distinguished from group 4 by superior style). This may be the coin RIC actually cites, but I do not have access to Spink Numismatic Circular 100.8 to be certain. Either way an extremely rare piece. Formerly from the John Quinn Collection. Quinn (1870-1924) was an attorney, patron, and art collector from NYC whose legendary modern art collection is still heralded today as one of the finest ever assembled and help shaped American tastes in the arts.
Congrats on the acquisition of this extremely rare type! There are some extraordinarily interesting rarities among these military issues.
Thanks Andrew. If you enjoyed that coin, fasten your seat belt, I have several more early Vespasianic military denarii coming up.
I really like this coin. Vespasian just looks so battle-hardened here, so ready to take charge of the empire. What a cool coin!
Agreed! It may not be very pretty, but to me this is a very important type which hints at the immense propaganda war the Flavians launched in conjunction with the actual war.
This is a very nice coin, and as you know, I don't like to pronounce de R word, but this is certainly a Rare specimen. Couldn't find a picture of the BM example, but found its cousin !
They made him look like a young Galba. I've been wanting to share my new Vespasian, I know you are a Flavian fan!: Vespasian 69-79 A.D. denarius RIC II.2 362 Victoria 72-73 Roma Laureate head right [IMP CAES] VESP AVG P M COS IIII VICTORIA [AVGVSTI] Victoria advancing right, about to place wreath on trophy 17.5mm 2.81g C 618.
