VESPASIAN: Dead and Alive

I've wanted these common but iconic Vespasian denarii for some time, and was glad to finally check the boxes off with these two examples. One's a late 2017 purchase I'm only sharing now, and the other is my first 2018 arrival. The double capricorn posthumous issue is in much higher grade, but the Judaea Capta came at a nice price and to my mind has a lot of eye appeal as well. I also really love the old collection toning that both of them have. Please feel free to post anything appropriate!


VESPASIAN
AR Denarius. 3.05g, 18.4mm. Rome mint, circa 21 December AD 69 - early AD 70. RIC 2; Cohen 226; BMC 35; Hendin 1479. O: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right. R: Judea seated right on ground in attitude of mourning, trophy set on shields behind her; IVDAEA in exergue.
Ex Prof. Dr. H. Hommel Collection (with tag noting acquisition date of 15 Feb 1943)


DIVUS VESPASIAN
AR Denarius. 3.06g, 19mm. Rome mint, struck under Titus, AD 80-81. RIC II 357 (Titus); RSC 497. O: DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS, laureate head right. R: Two capricorns back to back, supporting shield inscribed S C set on globe.
Ex Dr Walter Neussel Collection

 

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Both coins are damn fine examples of their type. Well toned and centred too.

You get bonus points for having a 'Judaea Capta' denarius that shows IVDAEA in full, not many do.

 

Thanks, David. That IVDAEA was important for me.

 

I couldn't agree more. Excellent examples.

 

What a lovely pair of coins. My IVDEA was missing bits of legend but I liked the portrait.

 

It's not missing much at all, and that portrait is REALLY nice!

 

Beautiful types. Love the toning on them.

 

It was such a great coin I bought it...

 

Well now you know where it came from.... It was a sad day...

 

very nice z

 

Very nice examples of Vespasian.

 

Both great coins. Congrats on adding them to your collection.

 

Very nice additions!

 

Both great coins but that Divus struck under Titus is terrific with it's strong detail, full legends and well centred. Congrats.

 

I have a fondness for Vespasian- he seems the most approachable of the Twelve Caesars. He's the emperor I would most want to have a beer with. A few of my Vespasians (the last is a posthumous issue):

 

Great scores!

 

My example shares the crowding of the I which seems to be the common direction of these being off center.


When you go down in grade on the posthumous you lose the SC on the shield.

 

Super coins, Capta is excellent historically, and a very collectible item. The Capricorn issue is a real grabber and an artistic and sybollic design. The first time I saw a Capricorn I was stunned.