Continuing on with my recent NAC wins is yet another early military issue struck for Vespasian at an uncertain western mint. I really love the reverse! Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.29g Uncertain mint, 69-71 AD Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: ROMA PERPETVA; Roma seated l. on cuirass, holding Victory and parazonium RIC 1359 (R2). BMC 423. RSC 423. BNC 380. Ex NAC 125, 24 June 2021, lot 504. In the wake of the Flavian victory in the Second Battle of Cremona came a flurry of early denarius issues fleetingly struck somewhere in the western provinces. These issues contain some stylistic affinities with the contemporary Spanish issues, but more decisively, 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 sometime in late 69 soon after the province went over to Vespasian. This ROMA PERPETVA reverse is a brand new innovation with no previous proto-types. Despite the obvious propaganda value this is the only appearance of this evocative legend in the Flavian numismatic canon. Note the engraver's double guide circles on the reverse. This is the fourth known example of this extremely rare type - two reside in the BM (#423 a reverse die match) and another in Paris (#380 a double die match). I am not aware of any other specimens. All the coins from these early military issues are exceedingly rare likely owing to the short window of time in which they were struck, perhaps for only a few weeks in late 69. Please share your coins showing Roma.
Interesting reverse inscription, "perpetual Rome"! Here's the more commonly encountered "eternal Rome": Trebonianus Gallus, AD 251-253. Roman AR antoninianus, 3.56 g, 21.1 mm, 5 h. Antioch, 4th officina, 3rd series, AD 252-3. Obv: IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right; •••• below bust. Rev: ROMAE AETERNAE AVG, Roma seated left, holding Victory and spear; shield beside her; •••• in exergue. Refs: RIC 89; Cohen 108; RCV 9647; Hunter p. cvi.
Admittedly, I was flubbing a bit with the translation for the thread title ... 'Perpetual Rome' doesn't have quite the same ring to it as 'Eternal Rome'. I opted for the more familiar and romantic one. BTW, nice example!
And the Constantine version of the above coin. This is the coin that started me collecting bronzes of CtG. I found it in a batch of uncleaned coins along with dozens of other, common LRBs. When I discovered that it was scarce, I decided to build a collection around it. Constantine I ("the Great") A.D. 307-337 Rome mint, A.D. 318-319 RIC 147 Obv: CONST-ANTINVS AVG Rev: ROMAE AE-TERNAE - Roma, seated right, holding shield inscribed X/V RS in exergue; P in left field, R in right 20 mm, 3.1 g.
I have so many Roman Republican coins with Roma on the obverse that I can't pick out just one to post! But here's an Imperial coin I like showing Roma on the reverse: Hadrian, AR Denarius 133-135 AD (according to RIC II-3) [134-138 according to Mattingly & Sydenham in old RIC II], Rome Mint. Obv. Bare head right, HADRIANVS - AVG COS III PP / Rev. Roma standing right in military dress, with right shoulder bare, holding inverted spear with left hand, receiving the arriving Emperor Hadrian standing left, togate, bearing a scroll in left hand, the two clasping their right hands, ADVE-NTVS AVG. RIC II-3 1984 (2019 ed.), old RIC II 225a (1926 ed.), RSC II 84a, BMCRE 581. 18 mm., 3.46 g. {Part of Hadrian’s Travel Series, commemorating Hadrian’s arrival in Rome at the end of his travels.]
Hadrian AR Denarius. Rome Mint 134-138 AD. Obverse: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, bare head right. Reverse: ROMAE AETERNAE, Roma seated left on low seat, shield at her side, holding palladium and spear. 18mm, 3.30g RIC Hadrian 2341-2342; Old RIC 265a
@David Atherton.....Great rare pick up! Maxentius AE Follis, Rome. AD 306-312...23/25mm diameter..6.92gr Obverse..IMP C MAXENTIVS PF AVG, laureate head right. Reverse..CONSERV VRB SVAE, Roma seated front, head left, shield at her side, within hexastyle temple, holding globe and sceptre, wreath in pediment, knobs as acroteria. Mintmark RBS. RIC VI Rome 210; Sear 14987.
An incredible coin David. I agree with you that the reverse is very special. Here is Roma and Augustus on a Domitian denarius. Domitian AR Cistophorus 95 CE (26mm 6h) Obv: laureate head of Domitian right; IMP CAES DOMITIANVS Rev: Distyle temple inscribed ROM ET AVG containing figure of Augustus, standing facing, spear in right hand, being crowned with right hand by female figure of Roma (on right), cornucopia in left hand RIC 854 2020 September 9-10 Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Weekly Online Auction #232037 Lot #62175
