I often take a look at the offerings on CGB.fr. Late last night I got an alert that a Flavian had been posted. I saw this one and immediately bought it. There are a couple of signs that this is not an ordinary Vespasian denarius. First take a look at the lettering style in the legends. These told me that the coin was not struck at Rome like the more common dynastic denarii struck in Rome. The portrait screamed Spain to me as soon as I saw it. It certainly does not look like a Rome portrait to me. Next, when you check the reverse legends in RIC you realize that this legends occurs on only 3 types and none of these were struck in Rome. They are RIC 1362-63 and 1376. RIC 1362 is an Aureus so that leaves only 2 types of denarii. RIC 1376 has the same obverse and reverse legends but the obverse legend is in the opposite direction when compared to my coin. So that leaves RIC 1363. I was very happy to have captured such a rare coin, but the story does not end there. I shared the coin with @David Atherton. He pointed out to me that my portrait has a globe under the neck truncation. There is no globe on RIC 1363. It turns out that my coin is RIC 1363A. That is the coin is not in the current RIC. It will be in the upcoming addenda. Also, the coin that will be in the addenda is marked as R3 (one example known). That coin is not mine it belongs to @David Atherton and I hope he will post it here. This means that there are now 2 known examples of this coin and both are owned by CT members. My thanks to David for identifying this coin as RIC 1363A. One more note about the globe. It suggests a Spanish mint because Galba used the globe under the neck on his Spanish denarii. In fact this was seen on the denarii of Tarraco and is often taken as a diagnostic feature of that mint for Galba. It is known that Vespasian copied many of the themes of Galba on his denarii. Please post your coins where only one or two examples are known. Also any coins struck at a Spanish mint would be welcome. Vespasian AR Denarius.Uncertain mint. 69-70 CE (17.5mm 3.3g 7h) Obv: Head laureate right, globe at neck truncation; IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Rev: Titus and Domitian on curule chair; both holding Laurel branches RIC: 1363A Purchased from CGB.fr on August 21 2020.
amazing coin buddy! This is a good buy. I like the toning and the style of obverse. Not a typical fat bust of vespasianus.
Cool coin! Yeah, different face on that guy! And the reverse... not Magistrates... ALIENS... Yeah, me too... I saw the "MADE IN SPAIN" on the obverse. Here is one of my Made in Spain RR Anon AE Semis 211-207 BCE Saturn S Prow ROMA Sear 766 Craw 56-3 Spain Punic War
A tremendous acquisition Andrew! Of course the rarity is a bonus, but it's the fact this intriguing denarius is from an early provincial issue that copies a type struck at Rome and Lugdunum (which interestingly also employs a globe below bust on the bronze) that interests me. The metal analysis of the issue conducted by Butcher and Ponting do point to a Spanish origin, however, I think Tarraco is an unlikely choice, at least going by style. This 'uncertain mint' has a peculiar style all its own unlike any other issue, Spanish or not. You asked for a photo of my example - both it and the coin are not as nice as yours. Vespasian AR Denarius, 2.90g Uncertain mint, 69-70 AD Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r., globe below Rev: TITVS ET DOMITIANVS PRIN IV; Titus and Domitian std. l. on curule chairs, with branches RIC 1363A (R3). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
@Orfew it seems this reverse of co-emperors was used later by Philip the Arab and his son. I have a coin of Philip the Arab and its reverse is very similar to your coin.
Congrats with that rarity! It is in a wonderful style. Wouldn't it be possible to investigate what the actual mint is based on coin finds? I remember that something similar was done with coins of the Gallic Empire, which led to quite enlightening insights.
The coin arrived today and I am very happy with it. Here is a new photo. It is actually in much better condition than the seller's photo would suggest.
Alegandron, you're Just That Good! ...Having ever had only one example of Tarraco (a long time ago), I've always had trouble getting traction with the distinction between these c. 1st-century Spanish issues, and the 'barbarous' ones of the first couple of centuries, before the 'golden age' of radiates. The provincialism of the Spanish ones is that pronounced. ...Yeah, where you said "Aliens," my first take on the reverse was 'barbarous.' There's obviously a continuum going on here....
