A Vespasian Pegasus

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Orfew, Oct 13, 2018.

  1. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Just won this lot today and I am very excited about it. I lost out on one of these last week because it went for a large sum. When I saw this one I knew I wanted it.

    I know @David Atherton has one of these and I hope he will post his to this thread.

    Everyone knows the Domitian as Caesar coin with the pegasus reverse. However, here is one for Vespasian. There are 2 on acsearch and one on OCRE -the British museum example.

    This will take a special place in my 12 Caesars collection.

    Please post your coins of Vespasian or coins with pegasus.

    Vespasian (69-79). AR Denarius
    (18.5mm, 2.77g, 6h).
    Ephesus, c. AD 76.
    Obv: Laureate head r.
    Rev: Pegasus stepping r.
    RIC II 1473; RSC 114a; RPC II 1451.
    Rare, Good Fine

    Vespasian RIC 1473.png
     
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  3. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    I love it! You are justifiably proud to have it in your collection. I only have one true Pegasus:

    Caligula Corith Pegasus.jpg
    Caligula, AD 37-41.
    Roman provincial Æ 20 mm, 6.74 g.
    Peloponnese, Corinthia, Corinth, Ae. P. Vipsanius Agrippa and M. Bellius Proculus, duoviri, AD 37-38.
    Obv: C CAESAR AVGVSTV, bare head right.
    Rev: M BELLIO PROCVLO IIVIR / COR, Pegasus flying right.
    Refs: RPC I 1173; Amandry (1988) XVII; BCD Corinth 405-6.

    Although many call the winged horse on the reverse type of this Gallienus coin Pegasus, the reverse inscription indicates it is dedicated to Sol -- the sun. The coin more likely depicts one of the winged horses that pulls Sol's chariot across the dome of the celestial sphere, not Pegasus:

    Gallienus SOLI CONS AVG winged horse antoninianus.jpg
    Gallienus, 253-268 AD.
    Roman Æ Antoninianus, 19 mm, 2.41 g.
    Rome Mint 267-268 AD.
    Obv: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right.
    Rev: SOLI CONS AVG, winged horse right, springing heavenward, A in exergue.
    Refs: RIC 283K; Göbl 712b; Cohen 979; RCV 10362; Hunter 127.
     
  4. Ed Snible

    Ed Snible Well-Known Member

    This Pegasos type, from Dia in Bithynia, used to be extremely rare. von Aulock published one in his SNG. As far as I can tell von Aulock's was the only one published. Since 2013 about 10 more examples have shown up.

    211225.l.jpg
    BITHYNIA. Dia. Ae (Circa 85-65 BC). Weight: 11.21 g. Diameter: 23 mm.
    Obv: Head of Perseus right, wearing phrygian cap with griffin-crest, decorated with two stars.
    Rev: DIAΣ; Pegasos grazing right; monogram to upper left, upper right and right.
    Ref: SNG von Aulock #344
     
  5. Jay GT4

    Jay GT4 Well-Known Member

    Great coin Andrew! Wish I saw it! DomitianPegasus.jpg
     
  6. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Wow Andrew! I am glad to see you won it.

    The 'o' mint is infamous for mixing up types and blundering legends, creating mules that collectors today salivate over. Why an official imperial mint was so careless is a great mystery! Despite all this, the coins are engraved in very fine style. The Vespasian Pegasus is a good example of that carelessness combined with excellent craftsmanship.

    Here is my example. V1473bsm.jpg
     
  7. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    What a lovely Pegasus! I'm really going to have to step it up with hunting down one of these Ephesus mint coins.

    I'll have to just post my Augustus prototype for now.

    Augustus - Pegasus denarius.jpg
    AUGUSTUS
    AR Denarius. 3.64g, 19.9mm, Rome mint, 19-18 BC, P. Petronius Turpilianus, moneyer. RIC 297 (R2). O: CAESAR AVGVSTVS, bare head right. R: P PETRON TVRPILIAN III VIR, Pegasus walking right.
     
  8. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Beautiful toning on that Augustus @zumbly That is a coin I would be proud to own.
     
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  9. Nemo

    Nemo Well-Known Member

    As well it should, that is one beautiful and rare coin! Was that on Ebay or from an auction house?
     
  10. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Thanks very much for the kind words @Nemo . It was in an auction held by St Paul Antiquities, London.
     
    Roman Collector, Jay GT4 and Nemo like this.
  11. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    I've got one of those Gallienus SOLI CONS AVG types - not sure if it is Pegasus or one of Sol's horses...but here it is, and it has kind of a nice tone to it for an AE Antoninianus...

    gal1.jpg

    gal2.jpg
     
  12. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    Stunning coin that's an amazing rarity ta boot!
    Any excuse to talk or post about the "country boy" who ruled the world.
    One of my favorite stories of ol Vespy is that one about when a famous funny man and senator of the time received a request from the emperor to make him laugh.
    The funny guys reply, "I will. Once you are done making that bowel movement."
    Anyone who has seen Vespasian's constipated looking scowl should get the joke immediately. But the old story speaks volumes of that guys "good ol boy" appeal. That we would even hear the story speaks even more volumes on his ancient street cred and ability to take a joke.
    CollageMaker Plus_201856153756981.png
    Vespasian
    (CE 69-79), AR Denarius
    (19mm, 2.95g), struck AD
    73. IMP CAES VESP AVG
    CENS , laureate headfacing
    right / PONTIF MAXIM ,
    Nemesis advancing right,
    pointing a caduceus at a
    snake below. RIC 544; BMC
    97.
     
    Last edited: Oct 17, 2018
  13. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Nice one! I really like the nemesis reverse.
     
    Ryro likes this.
  14. Andres2

    Andres2 Well-Known Member

    Congrats Orfew , beautifull coin for a 12 Caesar set.

    I have this Vespa in my 12 Caesar set:
    P1170829new.jpg

    And this Greek coin has my favorite Pegasus on the reverse:

    P1170764.JPG
     
  15. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    The coin arrived today. Here is my photo.
    Vespasian RIC 1473 new.jpg
     
    Justin Lee, zumbly, Jay GT4 and 6 others like this.
  16. Alegandron

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

    Wow Andrew! Nice
     
    Orfew likes this.
  17. Alegandron

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

    Love it Ed. Still, 1 in 11 examples is incredible rarety/ scarcity in my book. Congrats!
     
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