When it comes to Vespasianic bronzes, rarities are a denarii a dozen ... but I still find them pretty cool. My latest addition is a decently rare Felicitas from 72-73. Vespasian Æ Dupondius, 12.05g Rome mint, 72-73 AD Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS IIII; Head of Vespasian, radiate, r. Rev: FELICITAS PVBLICA; S C in field; Felicitas stg. l., with caduceus and cornucopiae RIC 392 (R2). BMC -. BNC Spec. acquired 2004 (178). Acquired from London Ancient Coins, November 2021. After the massive bronze issues of 71, the Rome mint scaled back production considerably in 72. This extremely rare Felcitias dupondius was struck in 72-73 just prior to Vespasian's joint censorship with Titus. Despite its fleeting nature early on, Felicitas later became one of the commonest bronze reverse types of the reign. Here she symbolises the prosperity and abundance Vespasian has brought to the empire. Missing from the BM. Thank you for looking!
Nice addition to your numophylacium, @David Atherton! And it's icing on the cake for it to be a rarity. I find a chocolate patina with brassy highlights on an orichalcum coin to be very pleasing. Fast forward a century and a half or so. Here's an orichalcum FELICITAS PVBLICA. Julia Mamaea, AD 222-235. Roman orichalcum sestertius, 19.91 g, 29.2 mm, 12 h. Rome, issue 9A, AD 228. Obv: IVLIA MAMAEA AVG, diademed and draped bust, right. Rev: FELICITAS PVBLICA S C, Felicitas standing front, head left, legs crossed, holding caduceus transversely to left, and resting left arm on low column. Refs: RIC 676; BMCRE 487-92; Cohen 21; RCV 8228.
Nice.... I have another from the same year with head left. Vespasian Dupondius Rome 73 AD, Felicitas Pvblica, 26mm, 12.74gm, RIC 581.
COS V, head left: Vespasian Æ Dupondius (74 A.D.) Rome Mint IMP CAES VESP AVG P M T P COS V CENS, radiate head left / FELICITAS PVBLICA S-C, Felicitas standing facing, head left, holding caduceus and cornucopiae. RIC 716; Cohen 152. (10.30 grams / 26 mm) eBay Nov. 27, 2018
