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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;David Atherton, post: 2462137, member: 82616&quot;]After the holiday weekend, the postman delivered my latest CNG win. I was really thrilled to finally hold it in hand.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]516362[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>Vespasian</b></p><p>AR Tetradrachm</p><p>Alexandria mint, 69-70 AD</p><p>RPC 2416 (7 spec.)</p><p>Obv: AYTOK KAIΣ ΣEBA OYEΣΠAΣIANOY; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r., date LB before neck</p><p>Rev: Τ ΦΛΑΥΙ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΣ ΚΑΙΣ; laureate head of Titus, r.</p><p>Ex CNG E377, 29 June 2016, The Hermanubis collection, lot 28.</p><p><br /></p><p>From the beginning, Vespasian intended for Titus to succeed him. This was announced on the provincial coinage quite clearly in Cappadocia, Syria, and as seen here on this coin struck in Alexandria, regnal year 2. At the time, Vespasian was busy preparing for his arrival in Rome and Titus was put in command of the legions quelling the Jewish revolt in Judaea. This tetradrachm is a perfect illustration of the amount of trust Vespasian put in his eldest son and clearly shows his choice of successor. Titus&#039; importance to Vespasian cannot be understated and the coinage bears this out. The type is fairly scarce for Alexandria year 2.</p><p><br /></p><p>The coin comes from the Hermanubis collection. CNG notes the collection &#039;was assembled with a focus on both quality and rarity&#039;. Judging from this piece, I cannot but agree. Darkly toned with very fine Alexandrian style portraits.</p><p><br /></p><p>All of the Hermanubis coins in CNG 377 were similarly toned this dark colour. Were they stored in paper envelopes or in trays that toned them in this way? I don&#039;t know the answer, but love the results.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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