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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Parthicus, post: 2663146, member: 81887&quot;]Here&#039;s another recent acquisition from Frank Robinson:</p><p>[ATTACH=full]591278[/ATTACH] </p><p>Roman Empire. AR denarius.&nbsp; Vespasian (69-79 AD).&nbsp; Obverse: Bust of Vespasian right.&nbsp; Reverse: Confronted busts of Titus and Domitian.&nbsp; RIC 283.</p><p><br /></p><p>Vespasian (69-79 AD) came to power in a turbulent time: the year 69 AD is known as &quot;The Year of the Four Emperors&quot;, as Galba, Otho, and Vitellius had all already held the throne for brief periods that year during the unrest following Nero&#039;s death, and Vespasian wanted to make sure his reign would be more permanent.&nbsp; One way to do so would be to set up his line of succession well in advance.&nbsp; He therefore started preparing his two adult sons, Titus and Domitian, giving them official titles and minor positions in the government and making it clear that they stood ready to take over in case Vespasian should die.&nbsp; Several coin types were issued portraying the two chosen heirs, including this one, likely issued 70-71 AD.&nbsp; To be honest, I couldn&#039;t tell from the reverse portraits which was Titus and which was Domitian, but that wasn&#039;t the point of this coin- it is showing the general idea of smooth transfer of power.&nbsp; This is a pleasantly worn example, not high grade but still with attractive portraits and mostly intact legends.&nbsp; I won it in the latest Frank Robinson auction; RIC lists the type as &quot;Rare&quot;.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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