Titus Flavius Vespasianus may have acquired the nickname "mulio" due to his entry into mule-trading trade to rebuild his finances after wasting a governorship in Africa making friends instead of money through acceptable corruption. Known to us simply as Vespasian, and the founder of the Flavian dynasty. Vespasian's resume is impressive and not surprisingly the usurper started out as a soldier, and talented military commander. Holding critical positions in the conquest of Britain and of course in Judaea. There was also a conscious effort to manage the image of the emperor and as will be the case going forward utilize coins for that effort as well. I have a few coins to represent this incredible guy who was essentially the right guy, in the right place to change history during an incredibly brutal Civil War: After entering the battle royale late and mopping up, Vespasian went on a building or perhaps re-building spree in Rome. Early on it was important that he was viewed as the sole authority. Also as portrayed by Aequitas with a scale for extra touch, for evenness, flatness, symmetry and a rebalancing of a shattered economy after Nero and the Civil War. Vespasian as 71 A.D. Rome 9.83g RIC II 2nd 287 Aequitas IMP CAES VESPASIAN [AVG COS III] AEQVITAS / AVGVSTI SC Aequitas standing left, holding scales and long sceptre; S-C across lower fields His coins do show a masculine image for the emperor, but also reflect on the reverse what he's expected to deliver which can be summarized as prosperity. The Felicitas with caduceus and cornucopia - not a common combination in the Adoptive years. Vespasian dupondius 73 A.D. Rome 13.24g RIC II.1 581 Felicitas Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopia Reflecting a substance that may arguable disregard style, many of Vespasian's coins do reflect a practical useful currency with more subtle propaganda tones than seen at times prior to his years as emperor. Here Spes is holding a flower on the reverse and this could be interpreted as expressing hope or the ability of the emperor to deliver the same. Vespasian as 76 A.D. Rome 9.81g RIC II 894 Spes IMP CAESAR VESP AVG COS VII / SC Spes walking left holding flower I would love to see what you have for Vespasian.
AD 70 Mint: Rome Region: Italy Obverse Legend: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Type: Head of Vespasian, laureate, right Portrait: Vespasian Reverse Legend: COS ITER TR POT Type: Pax, draped. seated left, holding branch in extended right hand and winged caduceus in left RIC 29 AD 75 Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right. Rev: PON MAX TR P COS VI Type: Pax, naked to waist, seated left, holding branch extended in right hand, left hand in lap RIC 772 Rome Vespasian AR Hemidrachm of Caesarea, Cappadocia. AD 69-79. Laureate head right. Rev: Victory advancing right, holding wreath and palm. RPC II, 1659.
An interesting early portrait from A.D. 70 before his fmiliar style became established Vespasian (69-79 AD), AR Denarius, 3.16g, A.D.70 imp caesar vespasianvs avg, laureate head right, rev. cos iter fort red, Fortuna standing left, holding prow and cornucopia (RSC 84; RIC 19) Identifying with Jupiter was not an idea exclusive to Diocletian Vespasian (69-79), Denarius, Rome, AD 76; AR (g 3,12; mm 12; h 6); IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head r., Rv. IOVIS CVSTOS, Jupiter standing facing, holding sceptre and sacrificing from patera over altar to l. RIC 849; C 222. and a favorite bronze with an Amazonian style Roma Vespasian Æ Dupondius. Rome, AD 71. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III, radiate head right ROMA, Roma seated left on cuirass set before a pair of shields, wearing helmet and drapery exposing right breast, holding wreath and parazonium; SC in exergue. RIC 277; 15.15g, 28mm, 6h
I have several coins of Vespasian, my favorites are this sestertius featuring Roma on reverse: And a denarius featuring his two sons Titus and Domitian:
Here's my most photogenic Vespasian: Vespasian, AD 69-79. Roman AR denarius, 3.18 g, 18.4 mm, 6 h. Rome, AD 73. Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII CEN, laureate head, right. Rev: SALVS AVG, Salus seated left, holding patera, left hand at side. Refs: RIC 58; RIC 2.1 522; BMCRE 87-89; Cohen/RSC 432; CBN 76; RCV 2307.
Great writeup and nice bronzes! Here are three of my favorite Vespasian denarii. VESPASIAN AR Denarius. 3.06g, 19mm. Rome mint, struck under Titus, AD 80-81. RIC II 357 (Titus); RSC 497. O: DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS, laureate head right. R: Two capricorns back to back, supporting shield inscribed S C set on globe. Ex Dr Walter Neussel Collection VESPASIAN AR Denarius. 3.05g, 18.4mm. Rome mint, 21 October 69 - early 70. RIC 2; Cohen 226; BMC 35; Hendin 1479. O: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right. R: Judaea seated right on ground in attitude of mourning, trophy set on shields behind her; IVDAEA in exergue. Ex Prof. Dr. Hildebrecht Hommel Collection, with tag noting acquisition date 15 Feb 1943 VESPASIAN AR Denarius. 2.94g, 18.5mm. Ephesus mint, AD 69-70. RIC 316; RSC 280. O: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG, laureate head right. R: PACI AVGVSTAE, Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm; Φ (mintmark) below. Ex Michael Kelly Collection
Vespasian Ar Denarius Rome73 AD Obv, Bust right laureate. Rv. Actian crown. RIC 547 3.46 grms 18 mm The Actian games were established by Augustus to commemorate his victory at Actium in 31 AD. These games were given in the name of Apollo and celebrated every 5 years. The crown given to the victors of these games had long spikes attached to them thus they could be distinguished from the prizes given at the other games. These games were celebrated in the nearby city of Nicopolis. However these games were celebrated in cities such as Amasia in Pontus and Tarsus in Cilicia both of which minted coins celebrating the event.
Some nice coins of Vespasian on this thread. Here are a few I really like at the moment. RIC 1363A- Not in the current RIC. 1363A is the number it is assigned in the upcoming RIC addendum. RIC 4-IVDAEA CAPTA denarius. Note the palm tree on this variant. It also happens to be a hoard coin. It was part of the Westbury Sub Mendip hoard found in 2016. RIC 1422AA-Not in the current RIC. It will also be in the addendum to RIC. RIC 773- Extremely rare bare-headed left portrait. One of 2 known RIC 1395-A very rare dynastic issue
