New arrival - Vespasian

That looks plenty nice from just the pics alone, but I can imagine how it looks even better in hand.

My first Vespasian:


Current favorite:

 

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That OP coin is gorgeous, I love its details (both obv and rev) and patina. Vespasian often has strong and impressive portraits to show !

My Vespasian denarius, that replaced the former one I had for it has such an amazing portrait


Vespasian, Denarius Rome mint, AD 72-73
IMP CAES VESP A VG PM COS IIII, laureate head right
CONCORDIA AVGVSTI, Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera and cornucopia
3.37 gr
Ref : RSC # 74

And a later portrait from an antoninianus of the Divi series


Vespasianus, Antoninianus Rome mint AD 250/251
DIVO VESPASIANO Radiate head right
CONSECRATIO Large altar
4.13 gr
Ref : RIC IV # 80, Cohen # 652, RCV # 9461
in qblay's catalog : VE31/P178

Q

 

Here's one I hadn't shown in a while, a poxy sestertius. Pity about the pits. Maybe it was cleaned by electrolysis.


Vespasian
sestertius, 35 mm, 25.2 gm
Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG PM TR P P P COS III, laureate head right
Rev: PAX [AVGVSTI], S-C; Pax standing left, branch in outstretched right hand, holding cornucopia in left arm.
Ref: RIC II 243?

 

The OP coin and Alegandron's left-facing dupondius were two of the most satisfying larger bronzes of Vespasian that I handled this year. I'm glad they went to appreciative collectors.

 

Would it be fair to say that coins of Vespasian are 'graded' by the degree of ugliness shown on his portrait? I know being unworn is important but some of his faces are way past 'only a mother could love'.


Which other rulers work this way? Who wins the pageant for ugliest Roman? I'm not talking about personality but just old fashioned mirror shattering ugly!

 

No brainer, Nerva.

 

I feel that if I saw Vespasian walking down the street, I would recognise him.

 

While my vote goes to Nerva in this category, Marc Antony deserves at least an honorable mention:

 

Cleopatra isn't bad too

Q

 

Marc Anthony was considered very handsome and a ladies man. I'm not so sure his likeness on coins does him any favors.

 

Where have I seen that coin before? Another nice one Pish!

 

Agreed, the severe veristic style does no favours for Vespasian.



Vespasian
AR Denarius
Ephesus Mint, 69-70 AD
RIC 1404 (R), BMC p. 90 note, RSC 248 var., RPC 811 (4 spec.)
Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: LIBERI IMP AVG VESPAS; Titus and Domitian veiled, togate, stg. front (heads l.), each with patera; in exergue, horizontal Φ

The Ephesian engravers seem to have taken the style to the extreme.

 

LUVUM!

 

I dunno... not ugly to me; but a hard-nosed Leader that I would FOLLOW! He MADE things happen...
The countenance does matter to me... the Brain-Case is what matters.