I had a devil of a time acquiring an example of this 'common' type from Vespasian's regnal year 1 at Alexandria. Perhaps not as prevalent in trade as once thought? Like most Alexandrian billon tetradrachms it comes with a bit of wear. Vespasian AR Tetradrachm, 12.77g Alexandria mint, 69 AD Obv: AYT TIT ΦΛAYI OYEΣΠAΣIAN KAIΣ ; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r., date LA before neck Rev: No Legend; Nike flying l., with wreath and palm RPC 2402 (15 spec.). Emmett 205.1. Dattari-savio 359. Ex Den of Antiquity, ebay, 24 June 2021. The first coins struck for Vespasian anywhere in the empire are those dated "Year 1" (LA) from Alexandria Egypt. The two legions stationed there under the Prefect Tiberius Julius Alexander were the first to declare him emperor. According to Tacitus - "The first move to convey imperial status to Vespasian took place at Alexandria. This was due to the eagerness of Tiberius Alexander, who caused his legions to swear allegiance to the new emperor on 1 July" (Hist 2.79). The year 1 coins were struck between 1 July and 28 August. The obverse legend of these first coins lack the title Augustus (sebastos). However, those dated Year 2 (29 August 69 - 28 August 70) include the title, which is strong evidence that Vespasian did not immediately adopt it during the first two months of his reign. Vespasian did not arrive in Alexandria until December, so the Alexandrian die engravers probably had no idea of the new emperor's appearance. Understandably, these early portraits have more than a passing similarity to those of Vitellius. This Nike reverse is also a Vitellian carry-over type. It is interesting to note this tetradrachm was struck nearly 6 months before the senate in Rome recognised Vespasian as emperor and the first imperial coins in his name were struck there. Show off your Nike/Victory coins!
I have a year 1 yet for Vespasian but a much more common reverse type than this very elusive Nike. Congrats on a very nice addition.
Very nice, @David Atherton, and a year 1 to boot! Fantastic! Here are my favorite Nikes. Philistis, wife of Hieron II. Greek AR 5 litrae. Syracuse 270-230 BCE, 4.46 gm, 18.1 mm. Obv: Diademed and veiled head, l., palm branch behind. Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΑΣ ΦΙΛΙΣΤΙΔΟΣ, Nike driving biga to left, E in l. field. Refs: SNG ANS 893; SNG III (Lockett) 1017; Forrer 196. Julia Domna AD 193-217. Roman provincial AE triassarion, 8.75 gm, 24.4 mm, 6 h. Moesia Inferior, Tomis, AD 193-211. Obv: ΙΟVΛΙΑ ΔΟΜΝΑ CE, bare-headed and draped bust, r. Rev: ΜΗΤ ΠΟΝ ΤΟΜΕΩC, Nike advancing l., holding wreath and palm, retrograde Γ (=3) to left. Refs: Varbanov 4857; AMNG 2811.
Good catch @David Atherton. Do you know why the description of your Nike is flying and not e.g. advancing? Here's a victory, 'going' the other direction.
I also have a Nike Vespasian Alexandria piece....(year 2, though) Vespasian (A.D. 69-79) Billon Tetradrachm of Alexandria, Egypt. 26mm 11.98 grams Obverse: Laureate bust right, LB in front (Year 2, 69-70 A.D.) AYTOK KAIΣ ΣEBA OYVEΣΠAΣIANOY Reverse: Nike Advancing Left, holding wreath and palm branch Reference: RPC 2412, Koln 276, Milne 393, BMCGr 236, Emmet 205.2, Dattari 360
Great coin, @David Atherton ... I like the reverse a lot. Here is a Flying Nike: Sicily Kamarina AR litra 11mm 0.56g 461-440 BCE Nike flying swan below within wreath Athena spear shield SNG ANS 1212-6
That is the description given for the type in RPC. I would assume Nike is considered 'flying' because there is no exergue line symbolising the ground, unlike with your Maximinus denarius.
My favourite Nike SICILY. Syracuse. Agathokles, 317-289 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 24 mm, 16.48 g, 10 h), c. 305-295 BC. KOΡAΣ Head of Kore to right, wearing grain wreath and pendant earring. Rev. AΓAΘOKΛEIOΣ Nike, bare to the waist, standing right, attaching armor to a trophy; to right, triskeles to left. Ierardi 114 (O26/R72). SNG ANS 665-668.
