Snakes and Space

Snakes rarely make an appearance on Flavian coinage. Off the top of my head I can recall two types I have.


AR Denarius
Rome Mint, 73 AD
RIC 544 (R), BMC 97, RSC 385
Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG CENS; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: PONTIF MAXIM; Nemesis adv. r., holding caduceus over snake


AR Denarius
Rome Mint, 75 AD
RIC 776 (R), BMC 169, RSC 369
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: PON MAX TR P COS VI; Victory, draped, holding wreath extended in r. hand and palm upright in l., standing l. on 'cista mystica', on either side of which is a snake, coiling up on it's tail, facing inwardly

The first type is a copy of an old Claudian denarius. The second copies a reverse Augustus struck on cistophori and quinarii.

 

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Space? Space? SPAAAAAACE!

I don't know if many of you have played Portal 2 (spoilers if you haven't made it to the end) but the ending of the game always makes me laugh because of the Space Core



Great Coins JA and everyone!