Collecting Flavian mint mark denarii from the East can be somewhat maddening because of the many different types and variants that were struck. My latest arrival is a good example of Flavian mint mark minutiae. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.49g Ephesus mint, 74 AD RIC 1464 (R2). BMC p. 99 †. RSC 68 corr. RPC 852. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS V TR P P P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r., annulet at tip of bust Rev: CONCORDIA AVG; Ceres, std. l., on ornate high-backed chair, with corn ears and poppy and cornucopiae; below throne, annulet; in exergue, star Ex Savoca, eBay, March 2018. A rare COS V Ephesian denarius notable for three control marks (one on the obverse, two on the reverse). Certain variants may have all three marks present but with different placements, lack one or two marks, or be any combination of the former and latter possibilities. I would assume the marks had something to do with the internal organisation of the mint's workshops. Also of note, this is the last denarius issue which can inarguably be attributed to Ephesus. You can certainly get deep in the weeds with this series! Post your mint mark coins!
A wonderful coin David. That portrait is superb! Here is my Ephesus Vespasian. Roman Empire, Vespasian 69-79, Denarius, (17.49 mm 3.24g) Obv: Laureate head of Vespasian right "IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS II TRPPP" Rev: "AVG" within an wreath, Phi-Alpha monogram above ties. "AVG" in the center. RIC 1414. Ephesos mint, Some roughness on the reverse. Ex Savoca Auction #9, lot 533 8/21/16, realized 350 Euro + buyer's fee Lot 152 Aegean Nuismatics Agora Auctions July 20. 2017. Coin depicted in the Wildwinds.com database
Nice coin's guys. David I was watching that one but I already have one RIC 1464 Vespasian Ephesus denarius IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS V TR PPP Laureate head right CONCORDIA AVG Concordia seated left, annulet below, star in Exergue 3.41g Ephesus 74 AD RIC 1464 (R2) Rare Ex-Calgary coin about XF
I agree with this and I don't even collect them. I find the concept most interesting but understand little. I would have sworn I was once told this was BY (Y laying sideways) making the coin Byzantium. It is interesting how you can see what you want to see in some situations. I know I have showed mine in previous threads but our purpose here is partly to expose those who were not here last time to the wide variety of what exists. Vespasian - mark left of foot on reverse Vespasian - mark under reverse bust Vespasian - mark weak in exergue Titus - o under bust Domitian - EPE in exergue
If you want to get technical, your example appears to have not one annulet on the reverse, but six! Also, your coin suggests the annulets were applied to the dies via stamping. A most interesting piece to be sure!
The BY mark was erroneously attributed to Byzantium by Mattingly in BMCRE II. More recent scholarship, RPC II, and the new RIC II.1 attribute all the mint mark coins from Asia Minor to Ephesus. Die links between various mink marked specimens show they are all the product of the same mint. Because one of the marks is certainly that of Ephesus, the whole series is attributed to that city. The only coin you posted with an uncertain mint is the Titus Caesar. The 'o' mint denarii remain an elusive mystery.
That's a beautiful coin, Mr. Orfew! I imagine that anyone on the receiving end of such an intense glare from Emperor Vespasian, would have good reason to worry!
Great post, David! The Ephesus minted Vespasians seem to have a bit more character in the portraits than those of the western mints.
It's time to add to my Vespasian collection. I'll be on the lookout for denarii from the Ephesus Mint.
You won't regret it. Some of the finest portraits in silver for Vespasian's reign were done at Ephesus - a most stylish imperial provincial mint!
Here's another Ephesian mint...It was graded as a fouree by NGC but when released from the plastic tomb it showed no sign of being plated! RIC 1406 Vespasian Ephesus denarius IMP CAES VESPAS AVG Laureate head of Vespasian right PACI AVGVSTAE Victory advancing left holding wreath and palm, tilted Φ before her right foot. Ephesus mint 69/70 AD 3.05g RIC 1406 (R ). BMCRE 435. RPC 812 (8 specimens cited).
