Several nice and scarce Flavian denarii have popped up in the last day or so on Vcoins. the seller was Germania Inferior Numismatics. They are great to deal with as I have bought from them before. I have been looking for one of these for quite a while. Whenever they have appeared in the last few years they have brought spirited bidding. I hesitated briefly with this coin thinking that perhaps a better one might come along. However, I did not want to wait another 2-3 years so I bought it. It is a far from perfect coin. In fact it is quite worn. However, given how long I waited I will be happy to admit this coin to my collection. Please post your favorite coins of Vespasian, Titus, or Domitian. Vespasian AR Denarius 20 Dec 69 CE to early 70 CE 18 mm 3.25 g Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; laureate head of Vespasian r Rev: TITVS ET DOMITIAN CAES PRIN IV; Titus and Domitian seated left on curule chairs, each holding a branch RIC 6 Purchased from Germania Inferior Numismatics on Vcoins June 14, 2019
Nice addition! I really like the first coins of the Flavians. I have recently shown my favorite Vespasian. That's why I show my other. The picture is worn. But it is not easy to photograph this coin because of its dark toning. Vespasianus Denarius, struck AD 72-73 at Rome mint. Obv: IMP CAES VESP A-VG PM COS IIII, laureate head right. Rev: VICTORIA AVGVSTI, Victory standing right, holding wreath and palmbranch, Trophaeum in front of her. 2,86 g, 18 mm. RIC 362 Ex Sondermann numismatics
Nice one Andrew! Here's mine I got last year 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
Here are three Flavians on a crappy coin: VESPASIAN AE3 OBVERSE: KAICAP OYECΠACIANOC TOMI, laureate head of Vespasian right REVERSE: TITOC KAICAP ΔOMITIANOC KAICAP, confronted busts of Titus (left) and Domitian Struck at Tomis, Moesia Inferior, 69-79AD 3.1g, 17mm RPC II 402
And here are three Flavians on an eastern coin Like the 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.
Andrew, what a wonderful coin! It's actually not from Rome, but from Lugdunum. The portrait style and 'TR P' in the obverse legend are key. My example is a bit worn too. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.06g Lyon mint, 71 AD RIC 1124 (R). BMC 393. RSC 544. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG TR P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: TITVS ET DOMITIAN CAESARES PRIN IVEN; Titus and Domitian std. l., on curule chairs, with branches Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.
Hi David, Thanks so much for the correction. Regarding the obverse legend I guess I saw what I expected to see. What you did not know is that I have been actively seeking a Vespasian denarius Struck in Lyon for months. I could never find one for sale. how interesting that I bought one not knowing what it was. Thanks for sharing your example. Here is the corrected attribution. Vespasian AR Denarius 71 CE 18 mm 3.25 g Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG TR P; laureate head of Vespasian r Rev: TITVS ET DOMITIAN CAESARES PRIN IVEN; Titus and Domitian seated left on curule chairs, each holding a branch RIC 1124 Purchased from Germania Inferior Numismatics on Vcoins June 14, 2019
The first aureus is a dynastic issue with both Titus and Domitian riding horseback on the reverse. 3 Flavians on one coin.
Our coins are opposite. You got the reverse right legend and I got the left. I decided to keep this one and sell off my three head coin because of the Eastern style and mintmark in exergue. I realize there is more demand for the three heads but I really like the Eastern denarii.
Great capture Mr Andrew!!! Father and sons... great family portrait. Hands down, The V-man is my man! Titus was good, but Vespy nailed it! RI Vespasian 69-79 CE AR Denarius Jupiter Sacrificing
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 (PH ligate) in exergue. RPC 832; RIC 331; RSC 250.
Can someone explain the interpretation of the various Eastern mintmarks on these coins? We have EPE which seem obviously Ephesus but the o and BY have been listed as that city by some leaving me confused.
The answer seems to be that the experts don't know. As you indicate, there are various reverse mint marks. Mattingly suggests that there is a chance that the Φ mint mark stands for Philippi (See RPC II, p. 126). However, RPC concludes that mint marks other than EPHE, which seems to be conclusive for Ephesos, "remain perplexing."
There are die links with all the various mintmarks with each other, indicating one mint for the whole series. Since one of the mintmarks is EPHE, Ephesus has been named as the most likely location.
That leaves open the possibility that those were not mintmarks in the general sense of the word but something else. Before this time what mintmarks were used other than the Lugdunum ball on the point of the bust? I am no proposing this as the answer but would like to see someone investigate other meanings for the marks. I'm thinking something like we much, much later saw on British silver making the source of the metal (Vigo, Lima).
No doubt they are internal control marks of some kind, but for what purpose is a mystery. A clue perhaps: certain mint marks are paired with particular COS dates, i.e., EPHE with COS III. There is a sequence of dated usage for these mint(control) marks.
