Variants are almost seemingly endless when it comes to Flavian bronzes. Seeking out rarities is fairly easy, affordable, and quite fun. This unassuming middle bronze from Lugdunum is a good example of just such a coin. Catalogued with a frequency rating of 'rare' in RIC, it is missing from most major collections. Vespasian Æ Dupondius, 11.86g Lyon mint, 71 AD Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN AVG COS III; Head of Vespasian, radiate, r. Rev: FORTVNAE REDVCI; S C in field; Fortuna stg. l., with branch and rudder on globe and cornucopiae RIC 1141 (R). BMC p. 199 †. BNC -. Acquired from London Ancient Coins, May 2021. Struck during Vespasian's great bronze issue of 71, this Fortuna 'home-bringer' type commemorates Vespasian and Titus's safe return to Rome after the Jewish War. She is depicted here with her rudder competently steering the fate of the world. The cornucopiae she holds symbolises prosperity. The type comes in several different legend and bust variants in this issue, all of which are fairly scarce. I could spend the rest of my life collecting the multiple variants in just this one issue from this one mint - a good indication of how diverse Flavian Bronzes really are. Please share your minor minutiae.
Nice acquisition for your Numophylacium Flaviorum, @David Atherton! I love fly-specking! Headgear varieties:
