Sometimes a coin jumps out of the pack and makes you sit up and take notice. This one did so for me because of the tremendous eye-appeal and fine style. I just had to have it. Vespasian Æ Dupondius, 12.00g Rome mint, 74 AD Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: PON•MAX•TR•POT•P•P•COS V CENS•; Winged caduceus between crossed cornuacopiae RIC 756 (C). BMC 886. BNC 904. RPC 1982 (3 spec.). Acquired from CGB.fr, September 2020. Traditionally, the issue this rather strange laureate dupondius is from has been attributed to various different mints over the years. Previously, it has been attributed to Commagene (BMCRE II, pp.217-222) and Antioch (e.g. RPC II 1982-2005). T. Buttrey writing in the RIC II.1 unpublished A&C explains - 'RIC 756-767 are irregular Dupondii, which should be taken together with Asses, semisses and quadrantes (RIC 1564-1581), forming together a single extraordinary issue in four denominations, distinct in typology and metal, as well as overall character from the regular coinage of the year. Although Eastern in aspect and reverse type, the circulation area of the dupondii is almost exclusively Gaul, Germany, Italy – i.e. the West, with scarcely any penetration of the East. Finds of the smaller denominations are rarely attested anywhere, East or West. The Eastern finds appear to be simply the débris of Mediterranean circulation. The correct attribution to Rome is proved by mules of the dupondii with regular issues (Buttrey, “Vespasian’s Roman Orichalcum: An Unrecognized Celebratory Coinage” in David M. Jacobson and Nikos Kokkinos, Judaea and Rome in Coins, 65 CBE – 135 CE (2012). The series had nothing to do with Syria or with the East at all, yet it was purposefully designed to appear non-Roman: the suppression of the traditional reverse sub-inscription S C throughout; the suppression of the radiate crown of the Dupondius; the shifting of the consular dating from the obv. to the rev.; the striking of all four denominations in orichalcum; and most obviously the selection of rev. dies which reek of the East. There is nothing like this series in the whole of Roman imperial coinage. It is a deliberate act of Orientalism, imposing the flavour of the East on a Western coinage.' This is the less common right facing portrait variant, seemingly struck at a 1:2 ratio against the left facing. Feel free to post any coins that made you sit up and take notice.
Great coin and informative writeup! Here's one of my two Vespasian dupondii, which I believe is the same type as yours. The historical context of this coin is quite fascinating!
Very interesting coin, that’s a beauty. I have a dupondius of Tiberius from the Commagene mint with a similar reverse design (and also with a laureate head). I can see why your coin type was thought to be from Commagene at one point. Tiberius, Dupondius (30 mm, 16.44 g), Commagene, circa 19-20 AD. TI CAESAR DIVI AVGVSTI F AVGVSTVS Laureate head of Tiberius to right./ Rev. PONT MAXIM COS III IMP VII TR POT XXII Winged caduceus between two crossed cornucopiae. RIC 90. RPC I 3869
@David Atherton.......Great looking coin! Love the portrait. Here's a Dupondius that jumped out at me... Antoninus Pius. 138-161 AD. AE Dupondius (11.76 gm, 25.3mm). Rome mint. Struck 154-155 AD. Obv.. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XVIII, radiate head right. Rev.. LIBERTAS COS IIII / S - C, Libertas with pileus and sceptre standing left. RIC 933....BMC 1469. gVF.
Great coin! I wish my version (posted in the Budget 12 Caesars thread) looked like this! For $6.50... you get what you get... a placeholder for a later coin like this! This is an interesting issue. It reminds me of other coins minted in Rome for the provinces. Severus Alexander coins minted in Rome for Alexandria as an example that comes to mind. ...this would be a good idea for a future thread... coins minted in Rome for use elsewhere.
Nice score David . It looks like you've been on a run of scoring nice coins to your collection . The portrait is engraved in such high relief considerable wear hasn't diminished the fine details, & the warm glow of orichalcum adds to the eye appeal.
That is a lovely coin, @David Atherton! I love how the orichalcum highlights bring out the details of the portrait. I can see why you're proud of your new acquisition. This one attracted me not only because it was a "Faustina and her rugrats" issue, but the glossy, jade-like patina made me sit up and take notice. Faustina II, AD 147-175. Roman oricalchum sestertius, 22.36 gm, 33.7 mm, 12 h. Rome, AD 160. Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: FECVND AVGVSTAE S C, (Faustina as) Fecunditas standing left, between two children (thought to represent Faustina III and Lucilla), holding two infants in her arms (thought to represent Commodus and Antoninus). Refs: RIC 1635; BMCRE 902-904; Cohen 96; Strack 1336; RCV 5273; MIR 10.
This one made me take notice, bid, then bit more, then go all-in. I liked the detail around Skylla and how well the rock is visible. The owl was a bonus, but not the reason I paid 3x estimate. Photo courtesy of CNG
Lovely Coin. Coloring is interesting. Almost looks like Oricalchum. Or maybe the so-called “Tiber patina.”
Nice one David! I have the other bookend with head left IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN AVG Laureate head of Vespasian right PON MAX TR POT P P COS V CENS winged caduceus between two cornucopiae 10.79g Rome, 74 AD RIC II 757 (C2); RIC II 759; RPC 1983
Nero Ae Dupondius Lugdunum Obv. Head right laureate. Rv. Victory advancing left. RIC 522 66 A.D. 13.29 grms 28 mm Photo by W. Hansen
