Vespasian Æ Sestertius, 26.76g Lyon mint, 77-78 AD Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r., globe at point of bust Rev: S P Q R /OB/CIVES/SERVATOS within oak wreath RIC 1209 (R). BMC -. BNC 824. Acquired from eBay, May 2021. Formerly in NGC holder #2104827-029, grade VG. In 77-78 Lugdunum (modern Lyon) after a hiatus of several years struck a decently sized issue of bronze coinage, presumably to address a shortage in the Western provinces. This sestertius reverse type was struck at both Rome and Lyon (Lugdunum) commemorates the Senate awarding the corona civica to Vespasian. The corona civica was originally a military honour bestowed upon a Roman who had saved a fellow citizen's life in battle. It was one of the greatest public honours. In the imperial era the honour developed from a coveted military decoration into an imperial emblem granted by the Senate to the emperor. The wreath was made of oak leaves and is sometimes called a corona quercea after the common name for the oak. Artistically it is sometimes depicted with acorns scattered amongst the leaves. Plutarch believed the oak was chosen for this highest of honours for several reasons. The tree was easily found throughout the countryside and was quite convenient for fashioning a wreath when the need arose. Also, the oak is sacred to Jupiter and Juno and thus was an appropriate symbolic honour given to one who has saved the life of a fellow Roman citizen, or indeed the state. Finally, the early settlers of Rome, the Arcadians, were nicknamed 'acorn-eaters' in an oracle of Apollo. The Wreath was awarded to Vespasian early in his reign by the Senate for rescuing the Roman people from civil war and bringing about peace. The fact the type was still struck seven to eight years after the initial award demonstrates the potent propaganda value of the type on the coinage. Missing from the BM's extensive collection. The coin came in a slab from which I couldn't wait to free it. The seller supplied some rubbish detail about the coin possibly being marked by the Ostrogoths! It's just an honest and worn sestertius wearing its many years fairly well.
Lovely coin, @David Atherton, with an interesting backstory behind its reverse type. Informative write-up as always!
I think I saw the coin (on Ebay?) and also thought that the story about Ostrogothic markings was fantasy. Very attractive coin!
A cool coin once again David. I'm going to Lugdunum this evening to visit my daughter, I will for sure have a thought for Vespasian and your coin while there Q
Yes, the coin knocked about on eBay for the best part of a year with various different price points. I waited until it came up for auction and made my move.
Just curious why it was graded VG. With all the legend clearly readable and such a nice portrait I'd say it is at least Fine.
That's a lovely coin @David Atherton. Good catch. I have two coin with the CIVES SERVATOS reverse. First a coin of Caligula. I wonder which citizen he saved ... ;-) (The coin refers to the Senate bestowing upon Caligula the title of pater patriae) Second a coin of his successor, Claudius. Apparantly the title was granted for saving the lives of Roman citizens from... yes, Caligula!
