The same seller who misattributed a rare 'o' mint Domitian denarius to Rome I shared with the group last week has done the same with this rare Taracco Vespasian denarius. AR Denarius Tarraco mint, 70 AD RIC 1302 (R), BMC 351A, RSC 5 Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: CEASAR AVG F COS CAESAR AVG F PR; Heads of Titus, bare, r., and Domitian, bare, l., confronting Vespasian announced his intentions of founding a dynasty to the Senate - "My successor shall be my son or no one at all." He struck coins to advertise the fact and the type with confronting heads of Titus and Domitian is one of the more blatant examples of this. The type is most commonly encountered from Rome, however, a much rare example of the type was struck at Tarraco in Spain. They can be distinguished from Rome by style and the use of dots in the legend. It can be difficult to sort these Spanish denarii out from the Rome examples because at this early stage Rome did not have a standard style. My coin is a reverse die match with the Gemini X, lot 733 specimen. I'm really starting to like this seller!
Wish to share? The seller's name that is. That is a fantastic coin and one I would love to have. Were you able to get it at a good price, and I mean well off the going price? I love this off standard portraits. Congrats.
G&N is the seller. I can't really fault them for not spotting these rarities, you really have to know what to look for. As far as price, I got the coin for about half the price the worn Gemini example went for in 2013. Granted, mine has a few scrapes and bruises, but I think it's in a slightly higher grade.
Wow David, yet another fantastic addition to your collection. Congratulations! I love the 2 confronting busts.
great pick. good work! Thanks for the info, encouraging. And I too like the facing busts!! 70 AD is an important date, and Vespasian and Domitian, both on one coin - fabulous!!
I've seen it at the previous Pecunem auction and was sure it would peak your interest. Congratulations for winning it
Thank you! If it wasn't for the fact the obverse was struck with a clogged die and the reverse a bit scratched up, I think this would have gone much higher, even if attributed incorrectly to Rome. All and all, I'm very happy with the coin and the auction result!
It's still a decent coin. I'm also a regular of theirs and I especially love the FEDEX move. Anything you buy is at your doorstep 2 days later. I assume they are starting to be a real pain in the ass for Lanz
I've purchased from GN before, and I was happy with the price and service. However, I've not been so lucky to find an outstanding coin like this.
three heads are better than one, that's a VERY cool denarius V70. the style is different that something you would see from rome isn't it?
What a fantastic coin!!!! Love that Titus and Domitian reverse!!! And that 'style' should be a tip-off as chrsmat just suggested....
