Vespasian was very fond of reviving coin types from earlier eras. My latest arrival is a good example of such, nothing fancy, just a well worn common as. I love coins such as this, they have a lot of history behind them. Vespasian Æ As, 11.19g Lyon mint, 72 AD RIC 1200 (C). BMC 820. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN AVG COS IIII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.; globe at point of bust Rev: PROVIDENT in exergue; S C in field; Altar Ex Museum Surplus, May 2019. Originally, Tiberius struck the Provident altar type for Divus Augustus. The altar depicted is dedicated to Providentia, the personification of the emperor's divine providence. Although the type is commonly described as an altar, Marvin Tameanko has convincingly argued it is actually a sacellum, or small shrine. This popular type was later revived during the Civil War by Galba and Vitellius. Vespasian began striking it early in his reign both at Rome and Lyon. This common example is from the latter mint, struck in 72. Post your altars, small shrines, or Providentia coins!
Pleasing coin, @David Atherton ! Here's my most interesting Providentia: Maximian, post-abdication, AD 305-306 Roman billon follis, 8.26 g, 25 mm, 1 h. Antioch, AD 305-306. Obv: D N MAXIMIANO FELICISSIMO SEN AVG, laureate bust, right, wearing consular robes and holding branch and mappa. Rev: PROVIDENTIA DEORVM QVIES AVGG, Providentia standing right, extending right hand to Quies standing left, holding down-facing branch and resting on scepter; I in field between them, ANT: in exergue. Refs: RIC 77b, Cohen 489, RCV 13414.
Nice buy David, Museum Surplus has some good coins occasionally, I have one like yours but had to strip it to treat for BD. Vespasian Rome 71 AD, 24mm, 10.7g. Large Altar/Enclosure.
Nice addition David Atherton. I do not own a coin of the flavians with the altar/shrine, but i have the 'orignal' one by Tiberius, for Augustus. And haven't heard of Museum Surplus before. (Don't worry, i won't go shopping there ;-))
