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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Parthicus, post: 2663101, member: 81887&quot;]Here&#039;s another of my recent Frank Robinson auction wins:</p><p>[ATTACH=full]591246[/ATTACH] </p><p>Roman Empire. AR denarius.&nbsp; Vespasian, posthumous issue, struck by Titus (80-81 AD). Obverse: Laureate head of Vespasian right, [DIV]VS AVGVST VESPASIANVS.&nbsp; Reverse: Richly decorated quadriga of the deified Vespasian, EX SC in exergue.&nbsp; RIC (Titus) 60.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Roman emperor Vespasian (69-79 AD) was reportedly a witty man with a good sense of humor, and several of his witticisms have survived.&nbsp; One of the more poignant came near the end of his life.&nbsp; When he fell seriously ill, and realized that he was likely to die soon, he said &quot;Oh dear, I think I&#039;m turning into a god!&quot;&nbsp; This was in reference to the fact that the Senate was likely to declare him a god upon his death, which indeed happened.&nbsp; This coin type, and several others commemorating the deified Vespasian, was struck by his son and immediate successor Titus.&nbsp; Also of interest, note the &quot;SC&quot; on the reverse.&nbsp; Normally, this abbreviation for Senatus Consulta (With the Consent of the Senate) is found on Roman Imperial bronze coins, and indicates that the bronze coins were struck under control of the Senate, while silver and gold were the prerogative of the Emperor.&nbsp; However, SC is also found on silver and gold types of the deified Vespasian.&nbsp; In this case, it is thought to refer not to the authority to strike the coins, but rather to the Senate&#039;s authority to declare the deification.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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