I have been looking for one of these for a year, ever since I first saw one. I think the condition is very nice and it has a very nice provenance. Please post your coins of Vespasian, coins with Nemesis, or any other related coins Vespasian, 69-79 A.D. AR Denarius, 3.16g. 19mm. Rome, 73 A.D. Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG CENS. Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev: MAXIM PONTIF. Nemisis walking to right holding caduceus over snake. RIC 544. Fine old collection toning. Ex: E. E. Clain-Stefanelli collection. Ex: Ed Waddell
That's an absolutely fantastic example @Orfew !!! I'd LOVE to own it!! None of 'Nemesis' that I'm aware of ...but here are three denarii that I purchased of Vespasian this year:
Gorgeous coin, Orfew! One of those you could be happy looking at all day. I'll offer up a Hadrian with Victory (or is it Pax?), in the aspect of Nemesis, doing her drapery-pulling and spitting thing...
The garment pull/spit is considered diagnostic of Nemesis. Claudius labeled it as Pax. Mine suffers from being a poor fourree but the cng aureus is better. https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=51004 The reverse style of the denarius here is really 'different'. https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=156529
I'm far from an expert on this, but I've not seen a picture or a reverse of Pax with wings? Am I learning so ething new here?
Let's remember that what was accepted as standard notation in one generation might be quite different in the next. The Hadrian is nearly a century after the Claudius. I doubt either generation looked at the legends as identifying the figure as much as we 2000 years later do. Neither Victory nor Pax spits down her dress. Now, find me a coin where Nemesis is identified in the legend.
My one and only Vespasian (humble, but kinda cute) ... Ummm, and does this baby check-off the Nemesis box?
Extremely cool coin Orfew! I love the snake. I'm a little more familiar with the Nemesis or Nemeses on provincial coinage. Aeolis, Temnos. Pseudo-autonomous Ae25. Senate/Nemeses Obv: IERACY NKLHTOC; Bust of youthful Senate r. Rev: THM NE ITWN; Two Nemeses standing facing each other, drawing fold of drapery from breasts. 200-250 AD. 25mm, 6.5g. SNG COP 21 266(1) Ionia, Smyrna. Marcus Aurelius AE32. Alliance with Laodicea in Phrygia. Obv: AY K M AY ANTWNINOC, Bust of Marcus Aurelius r., laur., wearing cuirass and paludementum. Rev: ATTALOCCOFICTHCTAICPATPICI CMVP LAOD, Zeus Laodikeus holding eagle and scepter, Nemeses before him standing face to face. 32mm., 20g. BMC 514
My one and only Vespasian, thus far........has a bird on the reverse side. I often imagine some Roman legionnaire spending it in some tavern for drink and favors...
Through a bit more research I was able to find another piece of the provenance for this coin. It was part of an NAC auction this past May. The revised attribution is below. I would love to find out where Mrs Clain-Stefanelli acquired the coin. Also, thanks to all for the kind words and contributions to this thread. Vespasian, 69-79 A.D. AR Denarius, 3.16g. 19mm. Rome, 73 A.D. Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG CENS. Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev: MAXIM PONTIF. Nemesis walking to right holding caduceus over snake. C 385, RIC 544. Ex: E. E. Clain-Stefanelli collection. Ex: Numismatica Ars Classica - Auction 92 Part 2, Lot 2133 May 24, 2016; Ex: Ed waddell