Just won this very rare Vespasian

I barely won it. It ended up 5 chf under my maximum bid. I have wanted a dynastic denarius of Vespasian and sons, but did not want the confronted busts type. Originally I was looking for Titus and Domitian seated, but when this one came up for sale I knew I wanted it. According to @David Atherton, this is the 3rd example known. However, OCRE has 2 and David has one so this might be the 4th known. Regardless I am very excited to add this coin to my collection.

This is one of several Ephesian denarii I have for Vespasian. I am finding myself attracted to these issues because of the very interesting portraits on the obverses. I have become very interested in the placement of or the lack of symbols appearing on these coins. Some coins have no mintmark while others do have one which can take several forms. I find the inner working of the mint fascinating and I wonder what the thinking process was for including or not including a mintmark as well as for whether to include one at all.

Thanks for viewing and please post your favourite coins of Vespasian.

Vespasian, 69-79. Denarius (Silver, 17 mm, 3.11 g, 1 h), Ephesus, 69-70. IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev. LIBERI IMP AVG VESPAS Titus and Domitian, veiled and togate, standing front, each with patera. BMC 430. Cohen 248. RIC 1395. RPC II 805. Rare. Minor marks and slightly rough, otherwise, about very fine.
From the R. Marbacher Collection, Switzerland.
Leu Numismatic December 09 2018 Lot 908

 

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Wow! What a rarity!! Bet that'll be on your top 10 list at the end of the year.

 

What a fantastic coin! Congrats
After the demises of the last 4 emperors Vespasian made a point to show that he had sons who could continue the succession as well as avenge him if anything should happen to him.
I also really like your "tough guy" looking portrait. Mine isn't so tough. Just an old soldier on whoms brow(s) lies the weight of the world

Vespasian
(69-79), Denarius, Rome,
AD 70; AR (g 3,027; mm
18.1; h 6); IMP CAES[AR
VESPASIAN]VS AVG,
laureate head r. , Rv. COS
ITER - TR POT, Pax seated
l., holding branch and
caduceus. RIC I 10 = II 29;
C 94

 

I'm happy you got it but would have been happier if it was me!

I'll content myself with the more "common" dynastic type



RIC 6 Vespasian Denarius

IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG
Laureate head right

TITVS ET DOMITIAN CAES PRIN IV
Titus and Domitian seated left on curule chair, each holding a branch.

Rome 69-70 AD

2.83g

RIC 6 (R); BMCRE pg. 8 note; RSC 541.

Rare

Ex-Barry Murphy

 

That is a nice one Jay! That is the type I was looking for when this one I won today came up for auction. I would be glad to have a coin like that in my collection.

 

Nice coins so far! I want to see more
I only have one Vespasian. He is pretty rough. I paid $5 for him so you can imagine what we are talking about... I won't sully this thread with his presence
I do find myself really enjoying the designs on coins of Vespasian and his sons. I think they are some of my favorite so far. Amazing artistry.

 

Perspective: naw, you did not win it ‘barely’; you were last man standing... you WON it ! If it were bid $5 over your max, you would had bid. $10 more, yup, you would had bid... no, you WON. Nice job on this rarity. When it is all said and done: this gem is YOURS. Congrats! [Review Alexander’s / Alegandron’s quote under my Avatar... ]
Nice job!

 

Congrats on your win! These Ephesian dynastic types are among my favourites.

RIC and myself overlooked the ANS specimen, so yours is the fourth known. Good detective work!

 

Because you had deeper pockets, I consoled myself with another very special Vespasian...you'll have to wait until it arrives for the unveiling

 

Very nice choice, Orfew. These strong Ephesian portraits are really growing on me.

 

I agree with all the positive comments about this fine addition to your collection. It is far superior to mine which is missing important legend reverse right. Mine came from a 2016 Baltimore show.

 

That makes 5?

 

No, Doug's has a faint mint mark in exergue.

 

I believe Doug's very pleasing coin is RIC 1404. It is designated as R (rare) and is a group 2 denarius. Mine is group 1. Still, Doug's coin is a nice early issue.

 

Beautiful coin! The Flavian denarii from Ephesus are stunning.

I tried participating in the Leu sale, for one of the multi-coin lots, but the bidding was way too rich for me. A sign of the times. I guess the early 2000's could not last forever - imagine - a time when prices for ancient coins were FALLING. What I do not understand is, where did all the coins go? I recall boxes and boxes of coins being sold at the shows, including plenty of better grade coins. Where did the coins all go?

 

Nice coin Orfew!

This is my Asian mint coin from the Flavian family.
Like others said, love those denarii from Ephesus. A beautiful and very characteristic style !



Vespasian, denarius.
Ephesus mint, 70 A.D.
RIC 1411, RSC 249.
3.37 gr.
Obv. IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS II TR P P P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, right.
Rev. LIBERI IMP AVG VESPAS; Titus and Domitian, togate, veiled, standing left, each holding patera in right hand, left hands at sides.

 

Nice one

 

There was a sigh of relief today as my coin from Leu arrived.

Here is a new photo. I love the portrait.

 

Here is a similar one, but not as rare as OP's (RPC says 10 known):
Vespasian; 69-79 AD. AR denarius (3.2 gm); Dynastic issue. Ephesos mint. Obv: His laur. hd., r. Rev: Titus and Domitian standing l., each veiled and holding a patera. EPHE in exergue. RPC 832; RIC 331; RSC 250.

 

That is a lovely coin. I love the portrait and that the figures on the reverse are wonderful.

Thanks for posting that example.