After three weeks of travels, I came home to find this coin had arrived in the mail. I am hoping that some of CT's Flavian fans will add to or correct my write-up of this coin. I bought it for the Eastern portrait of Vespasian, and the turreted female portrait, who looks like she could be Vespasian's sister on the reverse. It also interested me as a coin that dates from the transition of power that took place in AD 69. Having read @David Atherton 's post on these coins, I am uncertain about whether or not there is a symbol below the bust on the reverse, I find it hard to draw a conclusion even with what I see as a double die match in this coin (Edit: and another obverse die match that adds to the "no mint mark" hypothesis) Vespasian (AD 69-79), AR denarius, Ephesus, July-December 69, die axis 6 o'clock Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG, laureate head of Vespasian right Rev: PACI ORB — TERR AVG, turreted and draped female bust right, no below (?) Size: 15-18mm, 2.86g Ref: RIC 1397 (or maybe 1407 if there is a symbol there) In RIC 2 these are described as provincial coins rather than military mint because the coins continue to be minted into AD 70. Mucianus, governor of Syria in AD 67, played a role in promoting Vespasian to emperor. Mucianus from a noble family was initially not a fan of Vespasian, a tough commander with little family pedigree, however he came to respect him. Both were supporters of Otho and joined forces in AD 69 as Vitellius took control of Rome. This coin was minted in Ephesus and the mint possibly started up as Mucianus moved westward against Vitellius and Vespasian took control of Egypt and set up headquarters in Alexandria. Share your coins from the year of four emperors and any additional insight or references for these denarii of Ephesus are appreciated.
My coin has a few differences. It was struck harder than many which transferred the mintmark (YO on the side?). Many coins I have seen with this mark suggest it was cut very lightly in the die. Bold strikes can make flan cracks so you can't win them all. My Pax is cuter and younger. These two reinforce my point that lesser grade coins often show the mintmark poorly. Both show the mark but neither makes it clear.
Great New rarity and cool portrait on your coin, Sulla! Funny how it looks, to my eyes, less like Vespy, and more like if galba and vitelius had a love child!
Thanks, @dougsmit, light-touch and off flan mint marks make these challenging to fully attribute. Your coin seems to be on a generous diameter flan? I am curious to know the diameter and weight. Quite different in style than my big heads on small diameter with rough lettering.
2.57g. When I see a thin smashed coin like this I wonder if it was overstruck on a flattened flan. Perhaps it was previously a drachm of some sort. I recall noting these varying in weight more than usual from Rome. I did not record diameter and do not have the coin at home.
Congrats! Beautiful coin. Sometimes you get the monogram and sometimes you don't. As was said it makes it tough to fully attribute. Here's a few of mine...
Does anyone have a version of this coin with a Φ mint mark for Phillippi? I've had this coin for many years, and shown it a few times, but I've never seen another. The general consensus have been that it's a barbarous imitation, although it is listed in RIC: Provincial Silver Denarius (or barbarous imitation) Phillipi mint, A.D. 69-70 Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG Rev: PACI OPB TERR AVG - Turretted female bust Φ behind bust RIC (New) 1407 18mm, 2.8g. Note the the Φ is behind the bust rather than under it. Perhaps that is what identifies it as an imitation?
Oh, that is a superb example of a very rare Ephesian no mintmark first issue denarius (and yes, I agree it is a no mintmark issue)! Mine is not quite as stylish. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.29g Ephesus mint, 69-70 AD Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: PACI ORB TERR AVG; Turreted and draped female bust, r. RIC 1397 (R). BMC p. 89,†. RSC 291. RPC 807 (5 spec.). BNC -. Acquired from NB Numismatics, March 2017. Ex VAuctions 292 (Imperial Coins), 6 December 2012, lot 130. Congrats on acquiring such a desirable piece!
Die match links between various obverses and mintmarked reverses show that one mint is responsible for the series, most likely Ephesus. Here is one with the Φ mintmark. Vespasian AR Denarius, 2.89g Ephesus mint, 69-70 AD Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: PACI ORB TERR AVG; Turreted and draped female bust, r.; below, horizontal Φ RIC 1407 (R), BMC 437. RSC 291. RPC 813 (6 spec.). BNC 335. Ex CNG E281, 20 June 2012, lot 301.
Vespasian says "Hmmm." Vespasian. 69-79 AD. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.60 gm; 2h). Ephesos(?) mint. Struck circa 69-70 AD. Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG, laureate head right. Rev: CONCORDIA AVG, Concordia - Ceres, veiled, seated left in ornate throne with garland hanging over back, holding grain ears, poppy, and cornucopiae; Φ (on its side) in exergue. RIC II 312 var. (obverse legend); RPC II 809 (five examples known); BMCRE 434A; BN -; RSC 65c. EF, slightly toned. There are various reverse mint marks. Mattingly suggests that there is a chance that the Φ mint mark stands for Philippi (See RPC II, p. 126). RPC concludes that mint marks other than EPHE (PH is ligate) "remain perplexing."
FYI - a few interesting notes in this article from Ian Carradice in 1998, CARRADICE, I. (1998). TOWARDS A NEW INTRODUCTION TO THE FLAVIAN COINAGE. Bulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies. Supplement, (71), 93-117. and some relevant notes in this article on eastern Aureii of Vespasian here: "The circulation of the gold coinage of Vespasian struck in the East" by Chris Howgego
