I am very happy to acquire one of these. Until a few minutes ago I was unaware that this variant existed. My sincere thanks go out to @David Atherton for sending me a pm telling me that this coin just appeared on the market and explaining what it is. The key to this coin is the reverse. The common variant has a modius with corn ears. The rare variant has poppies in between the corn ears. I love these variants with small differences, it makes the coins interesting to me. Please post your coins where a small difference makes a large difference to you. Also, please post your favourite coins of Vespasian. If anyone has the other version without the poppies please post it here. Vespasianus, 69-79 CE AR-Denar Rom, 77/78 n. Chr. 3.21 g Obv.: CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, Kopf mit Lorbeerkranz n. r. Rev.: IMP XIX, Modius mit Kornähren RIC 980 Ex: Kölner Münzkabinett
That's a very attractive coin, @Orfew ! I, too, like "flyspecking," as you can see. One thing I find interesting about these Flavian coins is how they indicate Roman numerals with a horizontal line over them, that way people won't mistake them for words!
Thanks @Roman Collector for posting that link. It is an interesting example of an aspect of the hobby I find fascinating.
The hobby owes a debt of gratitude to collectors like @David Atherton for doing the research and sharing it with those of us with less knowledge. I would never have seen the difference. I wonder what rarities really exist in our collections without us knowing it.
Cool poppies Andrew... https://www.google.com/search?q=wic...oECAsQAQ&biw=375&bih=553#imgrc=iVCln8hjQdKkfM https://www.google.com/search?q=wic...oECAsQAQ&biw=375&bih=553#imgrc=D5YQuIun0dxEVM
Vespasian. AD 69-79. AR Denarius (3.25 gm). Rome mint. Struck AD 77-78. Obv: Laureate head left. Rev: Modius with seven grain ears. RIC II 981; RSC 215.
While we're at it, I'll post my modius with nine corn ears, rather than the normal seven. To date I have not seen another.