A Rare Divus Vespasian Variant?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by David Atherton, Aug 24, 2016.

  1. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    When specialising, one can get stuck in the weeds with certain coins. My new acquisition is an interesting example of just that.

    T357c.jpg
    Divus Vespasian
    AR Denarius, 3.26g
    Rome mint, 79-80 AD
    RIC T357 (C2) var., BMC T129 var., RSC 497 var.
    Obv: DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
    Rev: Capricorns, l. and r., crossed, supporting round shield inscribed S C : below, globe
    Previously a jewellery mount piece.

    Struck after Vespasian's death by Titus, this type is more commonly found with the capricorns back to back with no tails, supporting a small shield. Here we see the capricorns crossed with tails, supporting a large shield. Curiously, RIC does not note this rare variant nor assign it a catalogue number.

    For comparison, this is my 'common' type.

    T357.JPG

    (Those of you who were shopping for ancient coins on the web a dozen years ago or more will recognise the seller's image.)

    IMHO, the two reverses are different enough from one another to deserve their own RIC numbers. Or, conversely, did I get stuck in the weeds?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 24, 2016
    monetarium, dlhill132, Nemo and 16 others like this.
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    Considering some of the very minor details which generate separate RIC numbers, your new coin's difference seem major.

    At first glance I saw the difference in globe placement. It took a moment to realize that your new coin shows full bodies of the capricorns, unlike the standard version which looks like two protomes joined at a globe.

    Edited to add that of the dozens of Vespasian denarii with capricorns in CNG's archives and AC search, I only see three which show full-body crossed capricorns (as I'm sure you've seen). Why is the second example called RIC 357? I don't have RIC. Is this just a catalog error?

    http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=21058 RIC II 63 (Titus)
    [​IMG]

    http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=187374 RIC II 357 (Titus)
    [​IMG]

    https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2740685 RIC 63 (Titus)
    Screen Shot 2016-08-24 at 4.31.07 AM.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2016
  4. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Excellent research TIF! Those denarii you have posted are good examples of this variant (the first coin you linked is a double die match with mine). The numbers struck of the rare variant are quite small, as you have already attested to, perhaps struck at a ratio of 1:20 compared with the common one.

    RIC 357 is from the new edition, 63 from the old.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 24, 2016
    TIF and zumbly like this.
  5. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    What a cool variant... but I'd love owning either type.
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  6. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Interesting variation @vespasian70. I only have a fouree of the more common design struck under Titus:
    Titus 1.jpg
     
    dlhill132, icerain, Smojo and 8 others like this.
  7. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Nice find, David, congrats.
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  8. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    WAY COOL David!!!:woot:

    I have to agree that the two differ significantly enough (and more) that they should be assigned their own RIC numbers.

    Recently, I went after the latter version, but my budget was not quite sufficient to 'seal the deal':(

    LOVE that type!!!
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  9. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Nice catch David.
     
    David Atherton likes this.
  10. Smojo

    Smojo dreamliner

    That is a cool OP. I saw some (not the same example) recently on FAC. Very tempting.
     
    David Atherton likes this.
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page