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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;David Atherton, post: 3123326, member: 82616&quot;]Vespasian denarii with the priestly implement reverse are not rare and I&#039;ve had examples of each RIC number for quite a while. Recently I came across an unusual variant of RIC 43.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]795213[/ATTACH]<b>Vespasian</b></p><p>AR Denarius, 3.14g</p><p>Rome mint, 71 AD</p><p>RIC 43 (C2). BMC 50. RSC 43.</p><p>Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.</p><p>Rev: Above AVGVR, below, TRI POT; Simpulum, sprinkler, jug, and lituus</p><p><br /></p><p>The vast majority of denarii from this issue with the shortened obverse legend have the break above the portrait, normally seen between VE-SP or VES-P.&nbsp; This is a rare variant without the break above the portrait. I suppose it was a whim of the engraver whether the legend was continuous or not. The reverse commemorates Vespasian being voted <i>pontifex maximus</i> by the Senate in November of 70, shortly after his arrival in Rome. It copies a type struck for Julius Caesar.</p><p><br /></p><p>My criteria for acquiring duplicates are:</p><p><br /></p><p>1. Variant of type or legend.</p><p>2. A stylistic variant.</p><p>3. Upgrade in condition or strike.</p><p><br /></p><p>I believe the above coin meets at least two of these criteria. Plus, I love the coin&#039;s golden toning!</p><p><br /></p><p>Here is my other specimen acquired in 2007.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]795220[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>Vespasian</b></p><p>AR Denarius, 3.39g</p><p>Rome mint, 71 AD</p><p>RIC 43 (C2). BMC 50. RSC 43.</p><p>Obv: IMP CAES VES-P AVG P M; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.</p><p>Rev: Above AVGVR, below, TRI POT; Simpulum, sprinkler, jug, and lituus</p><p><br /></p><p>Feel free to post your duplicates![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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