I just got this in the mail and am finding it difficult to attribute. It's in poor condition, which is not helping matters either. Diameter is 25mm and weighs 8.07 grams. It appears to be an as of Vespasian with eagle reverse. But I cannot find any others with Vespasian's head facing left, and the reverse appears to have a legend (?) around, rather than the usual SC? Provincial? Perhaps a fake? I got it from an eBay auction out of France, part of a bargain lot including a sestertius of Septimius Severus. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hard to be certain but it may very well be: RIC 848 Vespasian Denarius. 76 AD. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head left / COS-VII, eagle standing facing on garlanded base, head left. Other possibilities could be provincial from Antioch: RPC 1973 or 1975
@Marsyas Mike I believe your coin is RIC II 322, a bronze As of Vespasian minted at Rome in AD 71. EDIT: 322 has a right facing bust, so the above is incorrect.
Thank you for your help with this, Bing, Roman Collector, and Aethelred. It's that left-facing bust that is really throwing me. Also, it still looks to me like the reverse has an inscription going all the way around (and not just the "SC"). My original photo's were the seller's. Here are a couple more: Like I mentioned above, this was kind of an "extra" - what I was bidding on was (my first) Septimius Severus sestertius, with Annona on the reverse - not perfect, but fat (24.8 grams) and green. I really, really like this one. I paid about $20 for the pair, shipping included from France. I don't bid much on European auctions because of the expense, fear of post offices, etc., but I am quite happy with this:
RIC 764a (Lugdunum), p. 104-5, lists a variant obverse legend with laureate head right or left: I don't think there's a legend on the reverse of your coin, just S C.
Thank you Severus Alexander. I appreciate the help. As for the reverse legend, I tend to see things when staring too long at a crusty bronze.
I have the same problem, looks like there is a fainted legend on the reverse, but there's not Great determination work, Marsyas Mike !
Thank you, David. I was hoping the 'bust left" would be an exquisite rarity. I guess I'd better keep my day job.
Well hold on a second! RIC 1237 is right facing. 1238 is left facing, frequency rating rare. Maybe you can retire?
Thank you David! I just put a down payment on a Bentley! I am so excited! I'm calling Sotheby's first thing tomorrow morning! Bid early & often! But seriously, thanks for the assistance. I do appreciate it.
