Very happy to have this one arrive yesterday. I have much admired the radiate statue on rostral column reverse for Vespasian but I was holding out for the rarer variant-the left facing portrait. This first photo of this coin is why one should not judge a coin too quickly based on a seller's photos. I actually like the portrait very much and the reverse is also really interesting. Please post your left facing portraits or any relevant coins. Vespasian AR Denarius 79 CE Obv: Head Laureate left; IMP CAESAR VESPASIANUS AVG Rev: Statue of radiate male figure with spear and parazonium on rostral column; TR POT X Cos VIIII Ric 1066 Purchased from Ebay The first photo is the seller's photo and the second is mine. The coin in hand looks like my photo.
Several left facing dupondii plus an as of Vespasian. Also , left facing sestertius of Titus with Annona reverse.
Any idea who the male figure on the column is? I’m familiar with the Colossus of Rhodes and the Colossus of Nero having radiate crowns, but not much I know of the figures topping columns. I don’t know if the Column of Trajan had a radiated figure for example
Very nice denarius with a left facing portrait as well! His son Titus had a similar denarius using the same rostral column: Titus. AR. Denarius. 79-81 AD. Obv: Imp. Titvs caesar vespasian avg. P.M laureate head left. Reverse, radiate figure on rostral column as last. RIC 47 (R). BMC 28. RSC 291. BNC 27.
During the construction of the Colosseum the nearby Colossus of Nero was retooled into Sol. The figure on this recurring Flavian type may possibly allude to that rebranding.
Here's a couple. One from Caligula and one from Nero. Caligula (Augustus) Coin: Bronze As C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT - Bare head left VESTA SC - Vesta Seated Left, Holding Patera & Sceptre Exergue: Mint: Rome (37-38AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 11.61g / 29mm / 180 Rarity: Common References: RIC I 38 Acquisition/Sale: timeman21 Ebay $0.00 9/17 Notes: Feb 27, 20 - The Gary R. Wilson Collection This coin, the standard type from 37-39 AD is rated common. Nero (Augustus) Coin: Brass Sestertius NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P IMP P P - Laureate head left DECVRSIO - Nero, bare-headed, cuirassed, cloak flying behind, prancing right on horseback carrying spear at rest in right hand; in front of him, advancing right, looking back left, a foot soldier holding vexillum in right hand over left shoulder right; behind him a Exergue: DECVRSIO Mint: Rome (63 AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 28.51g / 36mm / 6h Rarity: Scarce References: RIC I 108 Sear 1956 BM 155 MacDowall WCN 78 Acquisition/Sale: rembrand-2000 Ebay $0.00 11/18 Notes: Mar 4, 19 - The Gary R. Wilson Collection
