RIC lists the type as rare. I'm sure Vespasian70 has a little more to say and can maybe provide a better example? Left facing and inverted legend. AD 77-78 Denarius CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, Laureate head left / ANNONA "AVG,"(off flan) Annona seated left, holding bundle of corn ears on lap. 3.2g 17.7mm Post your inverted legends.
My right facing version: VESPASIAN AR Denarius OBVERSE: CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right REVERSE: ANNONA AVG, Annona seated left holding bundle of corn ears in her lap Struck at Rome, 77/8AD 3.1g, 18mm RIC 964
There is a few examples on the forvm member galleries. Hopefully David can give you more info but there is some info: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-35337
I know, I know.... It's not a denarius. So what if it's cheating? My eagle Year 2 69/70 AD Denarius Syrian Mint? AVTOKPAT KAIΣA VEΣΠΑΣIANOV, laureate head right / ETOYΣ B "IEPOV," (off flan) eagle standing left on club, palm to left. 14g 24.1mm Makes you wonder where the mints got their idea for the reverse on the US Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Mat linked to my own example, which pretty much sums up the basics about the type. The Annona denarius was struck along with other types that evoke a rural or agrarian scene, perhaps harkening back to a nostalgic bygone era. If you ever come across a left facing Vespasian (or Titus or Domitian for that matter) snap it up! They are rare enough to be very collectable. Congrats on acquiring one!
RPC 1945 (9 spec.) Struck at Antioch, but most likely the dies were produced by Alexandrian engravers. The style is identical to the tets struck at Alexandria and there are mules which prove the two series were engraved at the same mint.
No inverted legends for me---but I love what you guys have posted---all are WAY COOL---so many variations that I always love to see......let alone own myself!!
A few different inverted legends Vespasians: IOVIS CVSTOS This is thought to refer to refer to Jupiter having protected the younger Domitian during the war with supporters of Vitellius in 69 AD. My coin is worn and missing the face details of Jupiter. Well struck ones with full face details would be worth wore than indicated just by the higher grade. Left facing with Mars suffers from a weak reverse strike as well as the normal wear. While similar to ro1974's bull, mine has two (oxen) facing left. The pose suggests a yoked team. I don't have many Flavians but most of my inverted legend denarii are Titus rather than Vespasian. The only clockwise legend Titus denrii I recall seeing were Eastern but not all were the same. My best Titus is this Eastern mint bull. The practice of inverted legends seems to have stopped early in the reign of Domitian.
Well, if we're allowed to toss-in an inverted Titus, then here ya go ... Titus. AR Denarius Rome mint 79-81 AD (Struck January-June AD 80) Diameter: 17 mm Weight: 3.19 grams Obverse: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M, laureate head right Reverse: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P, dolphin coiled around anchor
Here are a couple more of my inverted legend Vespasian: VESPASIAN AR Denarius OBVERSE: IMP CAESAR VESP AVG, laureate head right REVERSE: PONTIF MAXIM, Vespasian seated right, holding branch and sceptre. Struck at Rome, 74AD 3.4g, 19mm RIC 685, S 2305, C 387 VESPASIAN AR Denarius OBVERSE: DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS, laureate head right REVERSE: E-X; SC on round shield set on column, upon which an urn sits, laurel branch to each side Struck at Rome, 79-81AD 3.1g, 17mm RIC 359 (Titus)