I was attracted to this piece because of the portrait. The engravers at Lyon (ancient Lugdunum) were no slouches when it came to numismatic artistry. Plus, the old pedigree didn't hurt! Vespasian Æ Dupondius, 12.79g Lyon mint, 71 AD RIC 1153 (C). BMC 806. Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III; Head of Vespasian, radiate, r.; globe at point of bust Rev: S C in field; Victory flying l., with shield inscribed SPQR Acquired from Olding, MA Shops, May 2019 = Olding, List 96, March 2019, Sammlung Fritz Reusing, no. 157. From the collection of Fritz Reusing (1874-1956), inherited and continued by Reusing's nephew Paul Schürer (1890-1976). A somewhat common Victory type unique to Lyon for Vespasian struck during his massive bronze issue of 71. It copies an earlier Lyon type produced for Nero. The coin is characterised by the mint's distinctive style in both the portraiture and the majestic, sweeping Victory on the reverse. This is another coin I recently acquired from the Fritz Reusing Collection. Reusing was a German portrait painter of the early 20th Century whose portraits included Richard Strauss, Igor Strawinsky, Max Planck, and Albert Einstein. Being a portrait painter, I would like to think Herr Reusing was was attracted to this coin's fantastic portrait.
very nice David! ..i love those SPQR shield flying Victory reverses.. i have a couple in the Nero style,(one of my most fav) but of As's ^^
Nice portrait. My favorite "Victory" pose is the one facing: AURELIAN Antoninianus OBVERSE: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG Radiate, cuirassed bust right REVERSE: VICTORIA AVG, Victory facing, wings spread, rising up between two shields, pearl diadem in hands star over P in right field. first officinae Siscia Struck at Siscia, 270-5 AD 4.1g, 21mm RIC 238
