Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;David Atherton, post: 2926387, member: 82616&quot;]I&#039;ve had such tremendous luck in 2017 with these so called &#039;grail&#039; coins. My latest addition is one I thought would never come my way - an uncommon bare head left Vespasian! A couple of years ago I was able to add one of these to the collection, dated COS VII, of which several specimens are already known. <a href="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-120879" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-120879" rel="nofollow">http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-120879</a></p><p><br /></p><p>However, the unique COS VI specimen cited in RIC remained elusive. [USER=74968]@Orfew[/USER] actually acquired it earlier this year in an obscure auction. Now, with my latest arrival we have a second specimen!</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]709698[/ATTACH]<b>Vespasian</b></p><p>AR Denarius, 2.89g</p><p>Rome Mint, 75 AD</p><p>RIC 773 (R3). BMC - . RSC - .</p><p>Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, bare, l.</p><p>Rev: PON MAX TR P COS VI; Pax, bare to the waist, seated l., holding branch extended in r. hand, l. hand on lap</p><p>Acquired from eBay, November 2017.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here is a notable situation of an extremely rare obverse paired with the most common reverse type ever struck for Vespasian&#039;s denarii. The Pax type with the common laureate right portrait was struck in vast quantities to commemorate the opening of the Temple of peace. The bare head left portraits are seen sparingly (Buttrey - &#039;Fleetingly&#039;) on the denarii of 75 and 76 exclusively with the seated Pax reverse. This denarius is the second known specimen of the exceedingly rare bare head COS VI Pax from 75. Unsurprisingly, it shares obverse dies with [USER=74968]@Orfew[/USER]&#039;s unique specimen cited in RIC. The bare head portraits seem to have been the experimental work of one engraver operating at the mint in 75/76. Too bad this portrait variant didn&#039;t catch on, it has a delightfully attractive spare elegance.</p><p><br /></p><p>Please share any coins that surprised you in 2017![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in