A Scarce Denarius Missing Something

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by David Atherton, Sep 19, 2017.

  1. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    It too me ages to find one.

    V1396a.jpg
    Vespasian
    AR Denarius, 3.15g
    Rome mint, 69-70 AD
    RIC 1396 (R2), BMC 431, RSC 280b, RPC 806 (2 spec.)
    Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
    Rev: PACI AVGVSTAE; Victory, advancing l., holding wreath in extended r. hand and palm curving up in l.
    Acquired from Pars Coins, September 2017. Ex Hirsch 326, 16 February 2017, lot 1924. Ex Savoca Live Auction 9, 21 August, 2016, lot 532.

    Ephesus struck a small issue of denarii for Vespasian between 69 and 74. The vast majority of these Ephesian denarii have a mintmark of one sort or another. Those without one are preciously rare. The earliest and rarest are undated with no mint mark and were minted in late 69 or early 70. This unmarked type with Victory on the reverse has been a most elusive one to acquire! Very scarce in trade.

    Show off those Ephesian coins!
     
    Last edited: Sep 19, 2017
    dlhill132, chrsmat71, dadams and 21 others like this.
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  3. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

    Congrats! None to share
     
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  4. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Thanks Randy, from one specialist to another.
     
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  5. RAGNAROK

    RAGNAROK Naebody chaws me wi impunitY

    Great coin. Congrats!
     
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  6. Deacon Ray

    Deacon Ray Artist & Historian Supporter

    Great Denarius! Definitely a different view of Vespasian! So many of his profiles have a similar look—some almost resemble the character Mr. Pickwick from Charles Dickens. This portrait looks like it was created by someone who may have actually seen Vespasian and was not just imitating the portrait from previous coins.
     
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  7. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member

    Those ephesian issues are of great style
    I have sadly nothing to show that would be relevant

    Q
     
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  8. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Fabulous collection... I also went out to your Forum Collection to snoop around.
     
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  9. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Great catch David. I saw that one and was captured by the portrait. Very nice catch.

    Here is my Vespasian denarius from Ephesus. Also a rare coin.

    Roman Empire, Vespasian 69-79, Denarius,
    (18.02 mm 3.44g)
    Obv: Laureate head of Vespasian right "IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS II TRPPP" Rev: "AVG" within an wreath, Phi-Alpha monogram above ties. "AVG" in the center. RIC 1414. Ephesos mint, Some roughness on the reverse.
    Ex Savoca Auction #9, lot 533 8/21/16, realized 350 Euro + buyer's fee
    Lot 152 Aegean Nuismatics Agora Auctions July 20. 2017.
    Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database

    Vesp 141 savoca.jpg
     
  10. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Love the portrait, nice addition!
     
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  11. Black Friar

    Black Friar Well-Known Member

    Great get, a very lovely coin.:wideyed:
     
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  12. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    Mine has the mintmark just left of Victory's feet exactly where yours has a squiggle that I would have taken (only from the photo) as a remnant of the mintmark. I assume you have looked at it with a stereo microscope and determined that it is roughness rather than a remnant.
    rb1260bb0986.jpg
     
  13. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

  14. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Ephesus produced some of the most stylish Flavian portraits. Even when the portraits are subpar they are better than most other mints.
     
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  15. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Lovely coin with a superb portrait!
     
  16. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Yes, the coin has been thoroughly examined and that 'squiggle' is just a rough patch. The lighting in the Hirsch photo above exaggerates it. Here is the dealer's photo from whom I purchased the piece.

    V1396.jpg
     
  17. RAGNAROK

    RAGNAROK Naebody chaws me wi impunitY

    Gorgeous!
     
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  18. ro1974

    ro1974 Well-Known Member

    [​IMG]
    example i found
     
  19. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Yes, same reverse type, but that one has a mintmark. So, RIC 1406.
     
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  20. Nemo

    Nemo Well-Known Member

    Beautiful coin David, it motivated me to finally get around and photograph my 1406.

    VespVicEph.jpg
     
  21. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    That is a lovely coin. I like how the engraver's guide circle is quite prominent.
     
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