Every once in a while one of these special Flavian coins shows up in trade ... I was lucky enough to pick up this rarity before anyone else noticed it! Vespasian Æ As, 9.15g Rome mint, 71 AD RIC 64 (R2). BMC 750. BNC 469. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG P M TR P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r., with aegis Rev: T ET DOMITIAN CAESARES PRIN IVVENT; S C in field; Titus and Domitian riding r., with hands raised Acquired from Praefectus Coins, September 2019. An extremely scarce early dynastic As struck during Vespasian's first As issue at Rome. H. Mattingly in the BMCRE mistakenly attributes it to Tarracco, but does express doubt in a footnote. Only one reverse die is known and apparently it was used to produce both dupondii and Asses. This specimen is undoubtedly an As due to the copper composition and the low weight. It is a double die match with the lone specimen in the BM and both examples in the BN. This reverse with Titus and Domitian on horseback copies a similar type struck on the denarius and boldly announces Vespasian's intention to found a dynasty. Interestingly, the early style portrait features an aegis, an added layer of prestige. Here is the corresponding type in silver. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.17g Rome Mint, 69-70 AD RIC 5 (R). BMC p. 7, ||. RSC 539. BNC 28. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: TITVS ET DOMITIAN CAES PRIN IV; Titus and Domitian riding r., hands outstretched Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection. Feel free to post your dynastic types or anything you feel is relevant!
The silver denarius portrait looks like Vitellius, but I get that it was very early in Vespasian's rule, and portraits of him were probably very scarce (if even available).
Interesting coin. I love the detail on the reverse. Is it possible to distinguish who Titus and who Domitian is?
Traditionally, Titus Caesar is normally attributed as the closer figure, due to his more prominent position.
