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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;David Atherton, post: 3794621, member: 82616&quot;]A few years ago I compiled a want list of Flavian denarii I needed for my collection, most of which are super rare and hard to come by in trade. Today, I can happily say I can cross one of them off that list!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1013856[/ATTACH]</p><p><b>Vespasian</b></p><p>AR Denarius, 2.68g</p><p>Rome Mint, 74 AD</p><p>Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.</p><p>Rev: OB CIVES SERVATOS around oak wreath</p><p>RIC 700 (R2). BMC p. 7 †. RSC 275. BNC -.</p><p>Ex Private Collection.</p><p><br /></p><p>A very rare variant of the oak wreath type struck for Vespasian in 74. The much more common variants have SPQR within the oak wreath. Alternately, here we have the legend OB CIVES SERVATOS around the wreath. This variant is so rare Mattingly citing Cohen in BMCRE stated in a footnote that this type needed verification. On this specimen OB CIVES is above the wreath; SERVATOS below. The RIC plate coin is similarly worn state.</p><p><br /></p><p>The corona civica was originally a military honour bestowed upon a Roman who had saved a fellow citizen&#039;s life in battle. It was one of the greatest public honours. In the imperial era the honour developed from a coveted military decoration into an imperial emblem granted by the Senate to the emperor. The wreath was made of oak leaves and is sometimes called a corona quercea after the common name for the oak. The Wreath was awarded to Vespasian by the Senate for rescuing the Roman people from civil war and bringing about peace.</p><p><br /></p><p>Granted, this coin may not be much to look at, but personally I&#039;m overjoyed to have acquired it! I never thought I&#039;d see one in hand in my lifetime!</p><p><br /></p><p>Please post your worn beloved coins.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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