Hi all, Forvm had some price reductions so I picked this up. It is not in the best condition but I really liked the toning and it is an interesting coin. Please post your coins of Vespasian, and if you have any left facing varieties I would love to see them. Vespasian AR denarius, RIC II, part 1, 981; BMCRE II 218; RSC II 216; BnF III 192; SRCV I 2293, F, toned, 3.259g, 18.6mm, 180o, Rome mint, 77 - 78 A.D.; obverse CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head left; reverse modius filled with stalks of grain, IMP - XIX flanking across field;
The left facing portraits were struck at a ratio of around 1:10 compared with the right facing examples. You did well in choosing one. And it's in fine style too!
FORVM's coins always look better in hand. I think they process the images to show the detail and surfaces over color and luster. Your coin is actually quite well detailed, and I'm guessing you'll be quite happy with it.
Pretty sweet OP-addition (congrats) Yah, all I've got is this sweet ol' rightie-version of Doug's example ... ... here is Doug's example, again ... Wow, they look pretty cool "together" (maybe secret Santa will be sweet to me next Christmas?)
Despite the wear it's a pleasant example with a good style to the portrait. You did well acquiring it I only have right busts to show Vespasian, Denarius Rome mint, AD 72-73 IMP CAES VESP A VG PM COS IIII, laureate head right CONCORDIA AVGVSTI, Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera and cornucopia 3.37 gr Ref : RSC # 74 Vespasianus, Antoninianus Rome mint AD 250/251 DIVO VESPASIANO Radiate head right CONSECRATIO Large altar 4.13 gr Ref : RIC IV # 80, Cohen # 652, RCV # 9461 in qblay's catalog : VE31/P178 Vespasianus, Antoninianus Rome mint AD 250/251 DIVO VESPASIANO Radiate head right CONSECRATIO Eagle facing 2.71 gr Ref : RIC IV # 79, Cohen # 651, RCV # 9460, in qblay's catalog : VE46/A124 and, but not in the collection any more Vespasian, Denarius minted in Rome, 73 AD IMP CAES VESP AVG CENS, laureate head of Vespasian right PONTIF MAXIM, Vespasian, seated right, holding sceptre and branch 3,37 gr Ref : Cohen #387v, RCV #2305 Q
I guess you sold that wonderful coin??? What a fantastic portrait and terrific reverse----the details all one could hope for.
Do we know why the vast majority of portraits face right and not left on Roman coins? I know on British coins the tradition is for the monarch for face the opposite direction to his/her predecessor.
My only left facing Vespasian 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
Heres a scarce Augustus denarius lefty, 1 lefty for every 10 right looking ones. lefty's might be cut by a celator who was left handed ?
