[Ancients] Vespasian AE As. - Aequitas - Slot filler #3

Vespasian AE As. 76 AD, 26mm, 10.2g

OBV: IMP CAESAR VESP AVG COS VII, Laureate head right.

REV: AEQVITAS AVGVST S-C, Aequitas standing left, holding scales & scepter.

REF: RIC 890, Cohen 4.

This is another slot filler coin but isn't too bad really, a bit rough on the reverse. The price wasn't bad either.

 

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Yeah, not bad for a slot filler. Wacha pay for it?

 

I paid $21 including shipping. I divided the shipping costs between all the coins in this order.

 

While also an as with Aequitas and also weighing 10.2g, mine is from the mint of Lugdunum and is considerably more thin and broad fabric. A lot of the bronzes from this period are rougher than I'd like.

 

Despite having somewhat rough surfaces, that's definitely a nice coin and really good engraving style. Well, Lugdunum seems to have had really good engravers and die makers for a very long time.

I looked up my Vespasian coin and I haven't found a mint city yet. Definitely doesn't look like Lugdunum.

 

That is a decent filler Gil.

Talk about rough, this was one of my first Vespasian coins:

VESPASIAN AE3
OBVERSE: KAICAP OYECΠACIANOC TOMI, laureate head of Vespasian right
REVERSE: TITOC KAICAP ΔOMITIANOC KAICAP, confronted busts of Titus (left) and Domitian
Struck at Tomis, Moesia Inferior, 69-79AD
3.1g, 17mm
RPC II 402

 

That is indeed pretty rough and is definitely a slot filler. Looks about equal to my Nero slot filler.

 

Oh, I have since filled that slot with better coins, but this one I just can't make myself get rid of.

 

I have a few low grades that I don't want to get rid of either.

 

BTW, there is a reason I bought this coin in the first place. I mean, other than the fact it's a Vespasian. I unknowingly purchased a fake of this coin. In my ignorance I was so proud of this fake. That is, until I posted it over at Forum and was promptly informed of it's lack of authenticity. Of course I was then very embarrassed. What a dummy. So when I had the chance to make amends and buy this coin, well, the rest is history.

 

I fully understand that. It's good that you kept on collecting. I suppose that some would be so humiliated that they would stop collecting.

And I'm pretty sure I got one fake that I haven't even posted. I was taking some pain killers for my back and I got pretty high from it. Not intentional, but it happened. Anyways, I was buying coins in this state and screwed up. So, I don't buy coins when on medication. Normally, I would have studied the coin before getting it. But I have yet to put the coin to the test and post it. I am almost positive it's fake.

 

not a bad slot filler at all...he's also no my to get list.

 

If you have only made one mistake and bought one fake (painkillers or not) you are either very good or very new to the hobby. I really would like to know a number of how many unrecognized fakes lurk in my collection so I could start trying to figure out which ones they are.

A dealer whom I hold in great respect used to sell Eastern mint denarii of Septimius Severus with a note that they were probably fakes or barbarous. They are different and, if you have handled a thousand Rome mint coins, I can see how you might be led to that conclusion. It takes a lifetime of learning to get even half way dangerous at this game. If a dealer ever tells you he knows everything and never makes a mistake, he just made two. You can post your suspect and we will each have an opinion. Some of us may even be correct.

Questions: If one of us has a thousand coins and in that number there are ten unrecognized fakes, is that member a fool that should be driven from the herd and ridiculed or just a bit misguided making progress toward a better state? Same question but instead of ten the count is one? Of the last 3000 coins I bought, I returned about three for authenticity. I wonder how many of those kept should have been returned.

 

I worry over the same question. Of over 600 coins in my collection, I have returned somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 for authenticity. I still own a few that have been identified as fake mainly for my own education (also to remind me).

 

Well, I am definitely a fool and I part with my money easily!!

=> I have "282" ancient coins and "58" of 'em have already visited David Sear's California ranch (the coins absolutely love it there!!)

... oh, and if my wife ever needs to fence my coins, then I'm positive that the authenticity certificates will make for slightly easier sales => *that is my intention, anyway* ... I don't want my wife to panic and give away my coins because some con-man tells her that they're fake .......... I really love my wife, she's awesome ...

Oh, and I'm hoping that David Sear knows a few things about ancient coins, for only "1" of 'em has come back as a fake (money well spent? ... eh, who knows? ... the certificates themselves are pretty fricken cool)

 

Oh my ... how rude of me!!

=> awesome new coin, Daryl (man, as I stated in an earlier thread => you're burnin' like a comet, brother!! ... keep-up the awesome show!!)

Cheers

 

Ooooops, I "almost" forgot to capitalize on this cool coin-opportunity ...

Vespasian, eh? (ummm, I don't have any sweet Ae examples, but I do have this denarius ... caaaw-caaawww!!)

 

You are very right about it being possible to have fakes in your collection or even mine. But the thing is that I know or pretty sure I have one in my collection and honestly, it bugged me quite a bit knowing the fact. But I do admit to making a mistake for sure.

I am by no means an expert but I consider myself well educated as best as I can. I have read many sites including yours, every page that is linked. I hope you consider your site a success because I do. It's helped me with so many subjects and interest areas including how to grade ancient coins. Among other sources that helped me. Then I won't forget all those that helped me in the beginning like yourself, Bing and a few others at CCF and now here at CoinTalk. I had the benefit to chat with you guys that have anywhere from 1-40 years ancient coin collecting experience which has helped me so much.

I did not return this coin because I did not have the money for over-seas postage and I don't really want to bother with it or return it to the market. It's going in a little junk bag for now. I'm planning on posting it at a later date.

 

YOU ARE EXTREMELY RUDE!! lol, just kidding but anyways.. I am burning like a comet but at some point it has to burn out. Which means that I will be on a self-imposed budget plan which means no coins for awhile. But then I have been trying to figure out more to say in the mean time when I have no coins other than "Hey, nice coin." over and over again. lol

In other news I came in 2nd place in a coin trivia, got $20 in store credits again. I will be saving it for a later date. I feel lucky right now.

 

Cool slot filler! I think Vespasian has such a great portrait head that even when the coins come worn or rough, they're still nice to look at.

This Vespasian bronze is one of my earliest purchases and still a favorite.


VESPASIAN
Dupondius
12.3g, 22mm
Rome mint, 71 AD
RIC 279
O: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III, radiate head right.
R: Roma seated left on cuirass, holding wreath and parazonium, two shields behind, S-C across fields, ROMA in ex.