Both of these are scarce coins. I bought the first one because it has a left facing portrait of Vespasian. I like these very much. I bought the second one because it has a minor variation on the reverse-an upright corn ear. I like these small differences between coins. I find them interesting. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.12g Rome mint, 79 AD RIC 1069 (R). BMC 248. RSC 553. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l. Rev: TR POT X COS VIIII; Victory stg. l., placing shield on trophy; below, captive std. l. Purchased from Ebay July 31, 2019 Vespasian Denarius AR Denarius, 2.84g Rome Mint, 77-78 AD RIC 939 (R). BMC 203. RSC 129. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: COS VIII; Mars, helmeted, naked except for cloak, fastened with belt round waist, standing l., holding spear slanting upwards l. in r. hand and trophy on l. shoulder in l. Corn-ear upright in ground r. Purchased from Ebay July 31, 2019
Nice pair of Vespasians, Orfew. I have the Mars with corn-ear, but with a left-facing bust. It is pretty rough, but they are hard to find, I think: Vespasian Denarius (77-78 A.D.) Rome Mint IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head left / COS VIII Mars standing left with spear and trophy, corn ear in ground to right. RSC 128; RIC 940 (3.14 grams / 18 mm)
Both coins are fairly scarce. The first coin because the last year of Vespasian's reign had his smallest issue and it's a left facing portrait. The second coin because of the corn-ear on the reverse, a rare variant for the Mars type. Now you have to get the corresponding Titus Caesar version! Same dies. Vespasian AR Denarius, 2.86g Rome mint, 79 AD RIC 1069 (R). BMC 248. RSC 553. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l. Rev: TR POT X COS VIIII; Victory stg. l., placing shield on trophy; below, captive std. l. Ex eBay, July 2012. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.27g Rome Mint, 77-78 AD RIC 939 (R). BMC 203. RSC 129. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: COS VIII; Mars, helmeted, naked except for cloak, fastened with belt (?) round waist, standing l., holding spear slanting upwards l. in r. hand and trophy on l. shoulder in l. Corn-ear upright in ground r. Ex Berk 145, 14 September 2005, lot 235. The Mars with corn-ear type left facing portrait variant. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.39g Rome mint, 77-78 AD RIC 940 (R). BMC p. 37 note. RSC 127. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l. Rev: COS VIII; Mars stg. l., with spear and trophy, and to r., corn ear Ex eBay, September 2010. And for good measure, the Titus Caesar version. Titus as Caesar AR Denarius, 3.08g Rome mint, 77-78 AD (Vespasian) RIC 949 (C). BMC 222. RSC 66. Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r. Rev: COS VI; Mars stg. l., with spear and trophy; and to r., corn ear Ex eBay, October 2011. Believe it or not, the frequency rating is listed as 'common' in RIC!
Thanks David, I am going to be on the lookout for the left facing corn ear variety and the Titus corn ear variety. These are a lot of fun to track down.
