Ephesian portrait of the day

This bad boy just arrived from CNG. I absolutely love the Ephesian style portraits of Vespasian. This one is fantastic.

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http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-151786

RIC 1399 Vespasian denarius

IMP CAES VESPAS AVG
Laureate head right

AVG within oak wreath, ΘI monogram above ties.

Ephesus mint. AD 69-70.

2.63g

RIC 1399 (C); RPC 808; RSC 37.

Ex Gorny & Mosch 152 (10 October 2006), lot 2071; Ex-CNG 433 Lot 379

 

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Oh wow, that is a fantastic portrait! Everything on the flan is nice and sharp also, sweet denarius!!

 

Exceptional portrait!

 

Fantastic portrait!

 

Well it gets better. This coin shows a laurel wreath rather than an oak wreath, which according to Curtis Clay would be a new variant. Doing a quick acsearch for the type I can't find any with a laurel wreath, only the common oak!

 

A truly exceptional coin Jay. I absolutely love this type and your new acquisition is a tremendous exemplar.

Congrats on a stellar pickup.

Here is another version from Ephesus.



Roman Empire, Vespasian 69-79, Denarius,
(17.49 mm 3.24g)
Obv: Laureate head of Vespasian right "IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS II TRPPP" Rev: "AVG" within a wreath, Phi-Alpha monogram above ties. "AVG" in the center.
RIC 1414. (R3)
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

 

There seems to be some confusion in RIC regarding the type of wreath. The description for RIC 1399 calls it an 'oak wreath', but the plate coin is similar to my example.


It should be noted that all the AVG in wreath Ephesian denarii are described as such in RIC. So, is your coin truly an oak wreath and all the other coins laurel, or is this just an engraver's differing style?

 

Great coin Andrew! What a contrast in portraits.

 

David I think what Curtis is saying is that all the coins in RIC depict an oak wreath even if called a laurel wreath but mine is actually a Laurel not an oak.

A quote from him:

"Jay's new acquisition, however, seems to show a laurel wreath rather than an oak wreath, exactly as on the Rome mint for Syria bronze of Vespasian though the bronze type shows berries on stems which are omitted on Jay's coin,"

 

Ah, that explains it. At any rate, your coin's wreath is different enough to be noted, whether that entails a new catalogue number or a footnote is up to Carradice to decide. You will have to let us know his decision.

 

That's a beauty Jay

 

I put that coin up for auction at CNG. I am glad you like it and I am glad it found a good home

 

Wow! Portrait yes - also the reverse is so crisp and bold as well.
Truly special!

 

Fantastic! I'll be the custodian for the next brief period in the coins long history. I'll add ex-Cheesman collection to the pedigree

I've sent an email to Carradice.

 

Jay GT4, I like that bulldog neck & smug appearance.

 

Orfew, another great portrait with a bulldog neck & muscular face.

 

And just to illustrate how exceptional Jay's wreath is, here is a wreath on a denarius struck in Rome a few years later with a more democratic theme.


Vespasian
AR Denarius, 3.20g
Rome Mint, 73 AD
RIC 547 (C). BMC 103. RSC 516.
Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG CEN; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: SPQR in wreath
Acquired from Ancient Coin Art, April 2006.

Unlike at Ephesus, the type of wreath is not identified in RIC. Notice the branches(?) sticking out. BMCRE speculates they could be palms.

 

Ive never looked closely at the wreaths until now, but there is a difference. Here's my Rome mint oak wreath with acorns and "spikes"


RIC 523 Vespasian denarius

IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII CEN
Laureate head of Vespasian right.

SPQR
within oak wreath with serrate leaves, acorns, and six long spikes.

Rome, 73 AD

2.95g

RIC 523 (C ). BM 86A. Cohen 517.

Rare: not in Paris, only one specimen in Reka Devnia hoard although RIC cites it as Common.

Holed for suspension in antiquity.

 

My RIC 523 has the same branches/spikes/palms (whatever!) and acorns(?).



Sometimes a coin has me looking at my own coins with fresh eyes, your new Ephesian is just such a catalyst!

 

I'm not sure where that description of the wreath came from. I'll have to dig up the flip and check.