For a few brief years early in Vespasian's reign, Ephesus struck a small series of denarii. The reasons why this city struck imperial silver remain a mystery, but it is in perfect keeping with the general picture of early Flavian coinage just after the Civil War with several provincial mints coining imperial issues. It is also unknown why the Ephesian mint employed mint marks on their denarii. The marks themselves are a distinguishing feature and unique to this mint. Compared to Rome, these Ephesian issues were quite small and are fairly rare today. Style wise they are superb. My latest addition is a rare beauty and thanks to Hirsch speedily shipping one day after the invoice was paid, I can now share it. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.40g Ephesus Mint, 70 AD RIC 1420 (R3), BMC -, RSC -, RPC - Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS II TR P P P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: LIBERI IMP AVG VESPAS; Titus and Domitian, togate, veiled, standing l., each holding patera in r. hand, l. hands at sides; in exergue, BY Ex Hirsch 323, 22 September 2016, lot 2390. This is an extremely rare Ephesus Group 4 denarius. When the new edition of RIC II was published in 2007 only one specimen was known of this dynastic type with mint mark in exergue. Since its publication, several other examples have come to light in addition to mine, bringing the total number of specimens to around a dozen. RIC makes a distinction between two different mint mark placings for this type: in exergue, as seen here, and between T & D. Struck in fine style with hints of gunmetal toning.
Like everyone else. The detail in the portrait is awsome. I've yet to find me a worthy Vespaian that someone else likes as much or more than I do.
That is a nice one. I recently passed on one a bit lower VF grade (less sharp detail on the laurel leaves) but completely missing the BY due to centering and that is a deal breaker to me.
The denarii dated COS II should have either a horizontal Φ or BY. If the mint mark is not struck and assuming there is no reverse die match with a centred specimen, such a coin would be impossible to precisely attribute.
Fantastic coin @vespasian70, as usual the style on Ephesus coins is outstanding. But the plus here is the movement on the reverse : you see T & D as if they were dancing a duet Magnifique ! Q
I have half a dozen examples of this type and all of them show a similar stance. It makes me wonder what prototype the engravers used to create the reverse - a statue, painting, or something else? Interesting to note this T&D type is unique to Ephesus (aside from a similar example struck at an unknown mint with the two princes holding scrolls).
atta-boy, V70 => total winner!! (congrats on that sweet OP-score) ... yummy Oh, and I appreciated the cool dance-post by Q (that dude is fricken classy, eh?)
I never get tired of these dynastic types, another awesome addition David. Unfortunately they are very popular and I find myself ending up the bridesmaid and never the bride when bidding for them!
