My latest acquisition is this Vespasian As. I bought it as an upgrade to my previous Vespasian As, which coincidentally shares the same RIC attribution #. I suspect that this coin has been doctored. The patina is almost too green and the details around his eyes, nose and mouth on the portrait seem too sharp in relation to the rest of the coin. I'm still happy with this coin and intend to keep it, but I suspect it has been tooled and the patina somehow artificially enhanced. I suppose that is one of the risks you run when purchasing nicer coins. I still didn't spend what I would consider to be a large sum for it, and will chalk it up to lesson learned. Please share your thoughts. I've included my previous Vespasian as a reference. Doctored or not, it's still an upgrade to that coin, although despite the rough surfaces I still like the old coin, as it has character. Feel free to post your Vespasian examples. Vespasian: AD 69-79 AE As; 28mm/10.1g; Rome mint OBV; IMP CAESAR VESP AVG COS V CENS, laureate head right/ REV; S-C, Spes advancing left, holding flower & raising hem of robe. (Cohen 452, RIC I 360a)
Absolutely agree with your observations here -- plus the almost-horizontal line delineating the hair behind the ears also appears to be a re-engraving. The reverse appears to be untouched except for normal smoothing. Even if the green patina is artificially enhanced, that's nowhere nearly as bothersome as the tooling. Inasmuch as all the devices are intact and have sufficient relief to stand out, it's too bad that the obverse has been worked. It's a nice portrait and reverse.
And just for kicks...here's my Vespasian Denarius. For some reason I really like his portraits. I also like what I know of the man historically. I might start collecting just Vespasian for a while once I finish up my 12 Caesars set. Vespasian; 69-79 AD Ar Denarius; OBV: IMP CAES VESP PM COS III Laureate, Bust, Right REV: AVGVR TRI POT; Sacrificial implements; simpulum, aspergillum, jug and lituus (RIC II 356)
There is many Flavian specialists & vespasian has many reverse types to keep you occupied for a long time. But there is pricey ones.
I can not explain the horizontal cut but do not see the suspected tooling as obvious as you do. Vespasian is not a specialty of mine and my examples are ordinary. The IVDAEA was of interest to me since I bought it from a recent Frank Robinson sale where it was listed as having been sold (same coin) in a sale over a decade ago for well less than it brought now. The moral to the story is that ancient coins do not always go up in value - especially ordinary grade ones. counterclockwise legend Byzantium mint Sestertius Two dupondii - both orichalcum but the second does not have the radiate crown which was less than fully consistent by that time.
Nice ... that's a sweet lookin' upgrade, Bannon (atta boy!!) ... I like the green hue ... Speakin' of odd lookin' hues, here is my only Vespasian example (these are the seller's photos) ... one day I'll reshoot this baby (yah, it is merely silver lookin' ... hey, don't judge me => I was still "even newer" than I am today at collecting ancient coins!!) Vespasian AR-Denarius (69-79 AD) - Rome 76 AD Weight: 3.4 grams Obverse: Laureate head right, IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Reverse: eagle standing facing on garlanded base, hd. l., COS VIII Reference: S-2287
