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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;David Atherton, post: 3245879, member: 82616&quot;]Some of the finest coin portraits of Vespasian are found on his sestertii. The Rome and Lugdunum mints had been firing on all cylinders from Nero right through the Year of the Four Emperors producing some very fine portraits, apparently untroubled by the turmoil of civil war. Once the dust had settled with Vespasian on the throne, both mints continued their high artistic craftsmanship. The larger flans of the bronze coinage were sympathetic canvases for the engravers. My latest coin is a good example of what the Rome and Lugdunum mints were capable of early in Vespasian&#039;s reign.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]850737[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>Vespasian</b></p><p>Æ Sestertius, 25.22g</p><p>Rome mint, 71 AD</p><p>RIC 190 (C3). BMC 560.</p><p>Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.</p><p>Rev: ROMA; S C in field; Roma stg. l., with Victory and spear</p><p>Ex Pegasi 39, 13 November 2018, lot 467. Ex Bonhams, 11 June 2018, group lot 3. Ex Superior 2-3 June 1998, The J. B. Parker Collection, lot 7023.</p><p><br /></p><p>In 71 AD the Rome and Lugdunum mints struck a massive iconic issue of <i>aes</i> coinage for Vespasian, setting the tone for the bronze coinage for the remainder of the reign. One of the commonest sestertius types struck for the issue was Roma holding Victory. Roma is depicted in the guise of an Amazon warrior, a typical attribute for her on the coinage during the Flavian era.</p><p><br /></p><p>I love this portrait showcasing a powerfully bold Vespasian. He looks like he means business!</p><p><br /></p><p>Post your favourite coin portraits![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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