It took over 3 weeks for my latest coin to arrive from Europe. The tracking never updated so I was completely in the dark about its whereabouts. It finally showed up unannounced in my PO box Monday. What a relief! This Vespasian/Titus Caesar drachm has been a dream coin of mine for quite sometime. Apparently, someone else felt the same way - I paid dearly for it at auction. Vespasian AR Drachm, 3.03g Caesarea, Cappadocia mint, 76-77 AD RPC 1652 (3 spec.). Obv: AYTOKPA KAICAP OYЄCΠACIANOC CЄBACTOC; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: TITOC AYTOKPATWP KAICAP ЄTO Θ; Titus in military dress, stg. facing, holding spear and sword Ex Kölner 108, 7 April 2018, lot 131. Vespasian's Cappadocian silver issues were struck in two distinct styles: 'Roman' (six o'clock die axis) and 'local' (twelve o'clock die axis). The 'Roman' style coins were struck at Rome and sent to Cappadocia to help supplement the locally produced pieces. The majority of Cappadocia's silver coins were struck locally, very likely in Caesarea. This rare drachm in 'local' style features Titus Caesar on the reverse in full military dress, perhaps a nod to his important role during the Jewish War. The type was struck for both didrachms and more sparingly for drachms. Only three specimens are cited by RPC II. Admittedly well worn, but not unpleasantly so. There is enough coin remaining to enjoy. Feel free to post any coins that had a long wait. Or post your worn beauties.
Bought last month, struck under Vespasian, not in Cappadocia but in Antioch at the same time 76-77 AD. An upgrade Titus for my 12 caesar set in bronze :
Here's a worn beauty, appreciated -- as yours -- for how difficult it is to acquire. I have seen it for sale only a few other times -- at a Rauch auction in 2011 and in a recent Pegasi auction. Not even the British Museum has an example in their collection. This denarius of Nerva was minted only during a few months of his reign when his coins carried the obverse inscription IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P II COS III P P. Nerva, AD 96-98. Roman AR denarius, 3.37 g, 16.5 mm, 7 h. Rome, Sept-Dec AD 97. Obv: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P II COS III P P, laureate head right. Rev: IVSTITIA AVGVST: Justitia, draped, seated right on low backed chair, feet on stool, holding long straight scepter in right and branch extended in left. Refs: RIC 30; Cohen 103. The Pegasi auction specimen was struck with the same pair of dies:
Awesome pickup David! Here's my didrachm. I believe I was the only bidder for this one! Vespasian, with Titus as Caesar. Cappadocia, Caesarea-Eusebia mint, struck 76/77 C.E. AR Didrachm (23mm, 7.16 g, 12h). Provincial style, Dated RY 9. O: Laureate head right; Greek legend, AYTOKPA (Emperor) KAICAP (Caesar) OYECΠACIANOC (Vespasian) CEBACTOC (Augustus) R: Titus, laureate and in military outfit, standing facing, holding spear and parazonium; Greek legend TITOC (Titus) AYTOKPATWP (Emperor) KAICAP (Caesar) ET Θ in exergue (ETOYC is the Greek word for year. Regnal Year Θ or theta the 9th letter of greek alphabet.) RPC 1649; Sydenham, Caesarea 72. From the Bruce R. Brace Collection. A rather rare coin. The British Museum has 2 specimens, this is only the 2nd example I have ever seen on the market. RPC 1649 lists two other examples with ETOYC abbreviated as ET: Berlin ex Imhoof, published by him in Swiss Num. Review 1898; and Seaby's Bulletin, Sept. 1982, D 75.
Just like my OP coin, probably not even worth slabbing. In other words, a perfect coin for a specialist.
A lovely example David. Congrats! Here is a worn coin that I love. Titus. AR Denarius as Caesar, AD 69-79. Rome, under Vespasian, Struck AD 77/8. (19.04 mm, 3.25 g), Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS, laureate head of Titus right. Rev: COS VI, prow of galley right, sides ornameted with intricate cross-hatch and maeander patterns; above, star with sixteen rays. RIC 950 (R); BN 202; BMC 226; RSC 68. SRCV I (2000) 2441 Ex: Incitatus Coins
