Vespasian Never Looked Better

Continuing my Tetradrachm streak, here is my latest acquisition.


Vespasian
AR Tetradrachm
Antioch mint, 69-70 AD
RPC 1961 (5 spec.)
Obv: AYTOKPA KAICA OYЄCΠACIANOY; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: ЄTOYC NЄOY IЄPOY B; Eagle with wreath in beak on club to l.; in l. field, palm branch; crescent between eagle's legs

The 69-70 time period saw large issues of tetradrachms minted at Antioch, most likely due to the massive military operations in Judaea involved with crushing the Jewish revolt. Titus Caesar mounted the siege of Jerusalem during the spring and summer of 70 when this coin was probably struck. Both Antioch and Alexandria struck coins for circulation in Syria. This tetradrachm is in very fine 'Antiochene' style and is likely a product of that mint. The crescent between the eagle's legs is a trademark of the RPC group 5 tetradrachms from Antioch.

I believe these fine 'Antiochene' portraits are some of the best ever produced for Vespasian, rivaling those struck in bronze at Rome.

 

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Wonderful, nice eagle too.

 

That really is a great portrait! And as Mat says, even the eagle is nice.

 

Great portrait on a lovely coin David.

 

Amazing coin Mr. David! Love that portrait and eagle is awesome.

 

very nice...i like.



man, your one a sweet tet run V70!

 

I totally agree with Borat!!

=> total winner

 

It's a wonderful coin indeed. An additional reference is Prieur 123. Although the plate coin in Prieur is not a die match to yours, it's clearly done by the same hand as the bust is almost identical. Of all the other Group 5 coins, this engraver chose to depict Vespasian with a serene, almost beatific expression.

You might find Prieur's description of the difficulties in attributing these coins useful, so I quote it here...

"The coinage of Vespasian is one of the most difficult to attribute, as it is possible that several mints used the same marks, while some mints used more than one mark at the same time. The best guide is, therefore, the engravers' styles. However, it is also highly likely that some engravers worked for different mints. No general agreement has been reached amongst scholars. We have dealt with the different issues according to Richard McAlee's group classification (forthcoming) but have not followed its mint attributions. Since individual mints are not clearly identified, it is easier to gather all issued under Antioch, while noting that different mints must have been in operation at the same time, rather than splitting the coinage of Vespasian between such exotic places as Aradus or Tripolis." Prieur, p. 16

It makes you wish the various mints had clearly identified themselves, as on later Imperial issues, but part of the allure of collecting ancients is embracing the mystery.

 

Vespasian sort of looks angry on the OP's coin. Still, that's a beautiful portrait of Vespasian. However, I wonder if the OP's coin was from before Vespasian passed the urine tax. I hear the coins minted after he imposed the tax on public latrines show him with big grin, as the Emperor was very pleased with having taxed the vowel movements of the ancient Romans...what a dirty old man

 

Very nice V70, love the big Eagle reverse. sweet coin!!

 

He doesn't look angry compared to the other busts of the period, which are rather typically grumpy and stern. When I get a chance, I'll scan the page from Prieur and you can see for yourself.

 

The coin was struck in 69-70. Supposedly the urine tax was passed when both Vespasian and Titus were back in Rome, so after 71.

 

You reminded me I really do need to get Prieur.

All the Syrian tetradrachm groups can be separated into 3 styles/mints, per RPC and K. Butcher. Alexandria (1-3), Antioch (4,5,7,8), and Caesarea/'South'(6).

My RPC 1961 (group 5) is typical of Antioch's finer style.

 

Urine tax, eh?



Luckily => pee is free where I live!! ... yippeeeee!!

 

Fortunately the ancient Romans did not have a way to track movement (ie. GPS), because Vespasian sounds like the kind of politician who would tax you per every footstep you take if he had a way to track that.

 

You're not eating the yellow snow, are you?

 

ahahaha, nope => Larry handles that, my friend





... man, she was so cute when she was young, eh?

Fricken Larry => best road-side-free-dog "ever"!!





Oooopps ... sometimes I find it difficult to turn-off my dog-love (my bad)

 

Larry looks so content. She's a lucky dog you found her, and you are lucky she found you.

 

Vespasian's reputation has come down to us from the ancient sources as somewhat of a miser, which I believe is disingenuous. The public works and buildings programme he initiated was the most ambitious since Augustus. He rebuilt the temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, finished the temple of the Divine Claudius, built the Temple of Peace and the Colosseum, and put the state's finances after the disastrous Civil War back on track. The coinage debasement hinted at by historians is a 'phantom' according to K. Butcher and M. Ponting. Their analysis of his denarii conclude he struck the them at the same level of fineness as Nero's post reform denarii.

I'd say he was practical rather than stingy.