Obtaining a Cappadocian didrachm of Vespasian is fairly easy. They are plentiful and were struck in decent numbers. Obtaining a didrachm of Vespasian struck in Rome for Cappadocia, now, that is hard! Which is why my latest coin has made me very happy. Vespasian AR Didrachm, 6.39g Rome mint (for Cappadocia), 76-77 AD RPC 1645 (4 spec.) Obv: AVTOKPA KAICAP OYЄCΠACIANOC CЄBACTOC; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: ΔOMITIANOC KAICAP CЄB YIO ЄT Θ; Domitian standing, l., holding branch Acquired from Savoca Coins (eBay), February 2017. A fairly large issue of silver coins were struck for Cappadocia in 76/77 AD. There are two distinct styles: "Roman" (6 o'clock die axis) struck in Rome for Cappadocia, and "local" (12 o'clock die axis) struck in Caesarea. Both issues were struck at the same time and used the same reverse types. Here is a 'Roman' style didrachm with the Domitian Caesar reverse type. The coins from Rome are far less common than those coined in Cappadocia, so it appears the Rome issues were struck to 'top off' the supply of coins to the province. The issue shows a high degree of coordination between the imperial and provincial authorities. The reverse of Domitian Caesar is considered a 'dynastic' type and indicates the importance Vespasian held for his youngest son, despite what the senatorial historians had to say. For comparison, this is my 'local' style example of the same type.
That is a great Roman style didrachm! I have a local style variant with ΔOMЄTIANOC instead of ΔOMITIANOC and CEBA instead of CEB in the reverse legend. Even more amazing is that this coin shows the rare birthmark Vespasian had on his forehead!
Great coins. Based on the portraits, it looks like Vespasian could have used a few more vacations to the provinces!
You're correct about the Rome portrait. Vespasian looks a bit more 'severe' in it than on the provincial example. The scholar Barbara Levick called this his 'straining' portrait. LOL Regardless, looking at them online style is the best way to identify the Rome pieces from the locally produced ones. In hand it's both style and the 6 o'clock die axis. NB: This example was misidentified by the seller.
