Today seems to be an appropriate time to post this recently acquired Felcitias dupondius. CNG was very good to me earlier. Vespasian Æ Dupondius, 13.87g Rome mint, 76 AD Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M T P COS VII; Head of Vespasian, radiate, r. Rev: FELICITAS PVBLICA; S C in field; Felicitas stg. l., with caduceus and cornucopiae RIC 887 (C). BMC 723. BNC 752. Acquired from London Ancient Coins, January 2021. Felicitas on the reverse symbolises the prosperity and abundance Vespasian has brought to the empire. Along with Pax, it is easily one of the commonest reverse types of his reign. I was attracted to the portrait and its fine style. And it was cheap! Post your 'happy' coins!
Looks like I have a similar coin. Vespasian Ae Dupondius 73 AD Obv Head left radiate. IMP. CAESAR VESP. AVG. PM. TR.P. COS IIII CENS. Rv. Felicitas standing standing left FELICITAS PVBLICA S. C. RIC 581 11.93 grms 28 mm Photo by W. Hansen This coin was at the NYINC in January 2020 and was featured in the CNG E Auction 460 Lot 619 part of the Jack Frazer collection. I was very impressed with the coin as it had really wonderful strike and a great patina. Of late I have been purchasing more Roman Imperial Ae coins rather than denarii. I find that the somewhat larger canvas afforded by these coins gives the celator a greater chance to show of their abilities.
Nice looking coins, @David Atherton and @Terence Cheesman! I have no Flavians with Felicitas. I'm a Faustina Fanatic. Despite the abundance of Hilaritas and Laetitia reverse types on Faustina II's coins, Felicitas appears on only one coin of Faustina II (and none of those of her mother), a middle bronze issued by her father exclusively for use in Roman Britain. Faustina Jr, Augusta AD 147-175. Roman Æ as or dupondius, 11.41 g, 23.8 mm. Rome, AD 152-156. Obv: FAVSTINA AVG PII AVG FIL, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: FELICITAS SC, Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus, left hand on hip. Refs: RIC (Pius) 1395; BMCRE 2187; Cohen 108; RCV --.
LOL. great coin, @David Atherton ! RI Vespasian 69-79 CE AE Dupondius Felicitas stdg caduceus cornucopia sinister left
When I think of happy, Vespasian hardly comes to mind. I got this at an LCS in 1987. If I knew where there was a LCS with more than a few ancients and a clue about them, then I might be happy.
VESPASIAN Æ Dupondius OBVERSE: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M T P COS V CENS, radiate head left REVERSE: FELICITAS PVBLICA S-C, Felicitas standing facing, head left, holding caduceus & cornucopiae Struck at Rome, 74AD 10.2g, 28mm RIC 716, (RIC [1962] 555), Cohen 152, BMC 698 Ex: J.Q. Adams
Nice. I get a kick out of the scrunchy faces of the Flavian crew. The larger bronzes provide for a nice broad palate to portray them. I was the 1st underbidder for a Titus Dupondius in the same CNG offerings. It hammered for less than estimate. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be for me. The quest continues...
Here's my left-facer: Vespasian Æ Dupondius (74 A.D.) Rome Mint IMP CAES VESP AVG P M T P COS V CENS, radiate head left / FELICITAS PVBLICA S-C, Felicitas standing facing, head left, holding caduceus and cornucopiae. RIC 716; Cohen 152. (10.30 grams / 26 mm)
