Honestly, I purchased this very common sestertius because of the superb veristic portrait. I'm a sucker for this type of coin with 'honest' wear. Vespasian Æ Sestertius, 25.77g Rome mint, 71 AD RIC 243 (C3). BMC 555. BNF 516. Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: PAX AVGVSTI; S C in field; Pax stg. l., with branch and cornucopiae Acquired from Wallinmynt, September 2019. The standing Pax is one of the most common types encountered on Vespasian's sestertii struck during the great bronze issue of 71, mirroring the prominent role Pax played on his early denarii. Colin Kraay counted a staggering 31 separate obverse dies paired with this sestertius reverse type. Here Pax is represented holding a cornucopiae (on the denarius she holds a caduceus) symbolising the emperor's gift of peace and prosperity to the empire. I like how the engraver began to run out of room with the obverse legend and had to cram in the final consular numerals. An example of a charming quirk missing from modern coins. Last week I posted a Domitian as Caesar Pax and asked for your Pax coins, instead, this time around let's see your veristic portraits!
Nice sestertius, @David Atherton! I very much like the contrasting orichalcum and black patina. As far as veristic portraits of Vespasian go, I particularly enjoy this one. It seems to show him as the frank, jovial, witty, time-wisened gentleman Suetonius describes him to have been. It also makes clear that the emperor tended to enjoy his dinner: Vespasian, Roman Empire, denarius, 77/78 AD, Rome mint. Obv: CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head of Vespasian right. Rev; ANNONA AVG, Annona seatedleft, holding corn ears. 19mm, 3.33g. Ref: RIC II, 964.
His image reminds me of Tacitus' observation of what kind of peace the Romans could bring to a region. They create desolation and call it peace.
I always found it quite odd that Tacitus put those words in the mouth of a 'barbarian' chieftain who opposed his beloved father-in-law Agricola. It speaks to his superb rhetorical skills.
