Misattributed Vespasian denarius

[Orfew]

Hi all, I have once again found a Flavian denarius which has been misattributed. The portrait is very special and was the reason I gave this coin a second glance when I saw it in an Artemide auction. I guess  that most just passed it by because of the condition, not recognizing that this was not the Rome mint example. I have had a number of the Spanish denarii for Vespasian, and so I was immediately intrigued. There are also dots in the legend. I count myself lucky to have found this one, and to have grabbed it for the opening bid! 

I love this one because to features portraits of all of the Flavian Emperors. I think that is pretty cool. Please note that the portrait of Vespasian bears a striking resemblance to to the Spanish denarii of Galba. Please post your favourite coin of Vespasian.

 

Vespasian AR Denarius, 70 CE (SPAIN)

Obv: IMP CAESAR AVG VESPASIANUS

REV: CAESAR AVG F COS CAESAR AVG F PR

 

 

Edited September 5, 2022 by Orfew

[ambr0zie]

Vespasian, the first Roman emperor with affordable coins. I like his portraits and reverses a lot and I was able to add a few denarii I like.

These 2 are the ones I like the most.

Common and not in the best shape, but I like this type and because of incorrect strategy on my side, I lost a few examples in auctions. I was happy to add this one, I like the portrait a lot.

Another one I like  a lot is RIC IV with pontifical implements reverse. Too bad the lituus is imperfectly struck but overall a very nice coin.

 

Edited September 5, 2022 by ambr0zie

[shanxi]

We all hope for the wrongl attributed rarity, and sometimes  the hopes come true. Congratulations.

 

3 hours ago, Orfew said:

Please post your favourite coin of Vespasian

This is my favourite Vespasian. I like the portrait.

 

Vespasian
Denarius
Obv.: laureate head right, IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG
Rev.: winged caduceus, PON MAX [TR P COS V]
Ag, 3.38g
Ref.: RIC² 703, RIC¹ 75, RSC 362

Edited September 5, 2022 by shanxi

[Roman Collector]

Coingratulations, @Orfew! It's always nice to acquire a misattributed sleeper at a good price! Here are some of my Vespasians. I don't have many -- I'm more of an Antonine and Severan man.

Vespasian living:


Vespasian, AD 69-79.
Roman AR denarius, 3.18 g, 18.4 mm, 6 h.
Rome, AD 73.
Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII CEN, laureate head, right.
Rev: SALVS AVG, Salus seated left, holding patera, left hand at side.
Refs: RIC 58; RIC 2.1 522; BMCRE 87-89; Cohen/RSC 432; CBN 76; RCV 2307.

Vespasian no longer living:


Divus Vespasian, d. AD 79
Roman AR denarius, 2.89 g, 17.8 mm, 6 h.
Rome, AD 80.
Obv: DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS, head of deified Vespasian, laureate, right.
Rev: Two capricorns, back-to-back, supporting shield inscribed S C; below, globe.
Refs: RIC 2.1, 357; BMCRE 129-131; Cohen 497; RCV 2569; CBN 101.

I have a Flavian brothers confronted busts coin, too, but it's a provincial.

Titus and Domitian, Caesares, AD 69-81.
Roman provincial Æ 18.5 mm, 5.14 g, 5 h.
Lycaonia, Laodicea Combusta (Laodikeia Katakekaumene / Claudio-Laodicea).
Obv: TITOC KAI ΔOMITIANOC KAICAΡEC, bare head of Titus right, facing bare head of Domitian left.
Rev: KΛAYΔIO ΛAOΔIKЄⲰN, Cybele, polos on head, seated left, holding patera and tympanum; lion beneath throne.
Refs: RPC II 1613; von Aulock Lykaoniens 151; SNG von Aulock 8416; Waddington 4779; SNG France III 2322.

 

 

Edited September 5, 2022 by Roman Collector

[Ocatarinetabellatchitchix]

4 hours ago, Orfew said:

the portrait of Vespasian bears a striking resemblance to to the Spanish denarii of Galba. 

Agreed. Even on this old As you’ll see the resemblance. Every time I buy a coin misattibuted, I really feel like contacting the seller and thanks him for his mistake…but I never had the guts to do that. Has anyone ever done this ???

Edited September 5, 2022 by Ocatarinetabellatchitchix

[David Atherton]

Good eye Andrew! I suspect there are quire a few of these lurking in collections similarly misattributed.

[Marsyas Mike]

Nice catch, @Orfew  I really enjoy finding misattributed coins on eBay - there's good stuff out there if you don't mind wading through the sludge. 

As for Vespasian, I bought this one earlier this summer.  It was described as:  "69-79 AD Roman Empire AE Dupondius Vespasian Coin"  Actually, it is an As/"Large AE"  issue from Ephesus / Asia Minor.  It is pretty rough, but as far as I can tell, quite scarce: 

Vespasian Æ Large (As?) (77-78 A.D.) Ephesus / Asia Minor Mint  [IMP CAESAR VESPA]SIAN  AVGVS[TVS], laureate head right / [PONT MAX TR PO]T P P · COS · VIII [CENS], [S] C in fields, Ceres seated left, holding two corn-ears and torch. RPC II 1472; RIC II 1498/1499. (11.99 grams / 28 x 26 mm) eBay June 2022 

Notes:  OCRE list RIC 1498 and RIC 1499 with identical descriptions but no examples for either; RPC Online references RIC 1498 only and Kraay 3. RPC has single example with SC in exergue; this one has it in the fields (C is behind Ceres; S not visible). Dots and line over VIII reverse not noted in references but visible here.

Another one, a Vespasian of sorts, is this one, Vespasian the Younger (or Vespasian II or Vespasian, Jr.) - a guy I'd never heard of.  This one came in an undescribed lot of miscellaneous ancients.  Vespasian the Younger was an adopted son of Domitian.  He didn't make it very long, and as far as I can tell, this issue from Smyrna is the only issue for him:  

Vespasian the Younger Æ 16 Smyrna, Ionia (c. 94-95 A.D.) ΟΥƐ[ϹΠΑϹΙ]ΑΝ[ΟϹ] ΝΕΩΤΕΡΟϹ, bare-headed bust right / [ΖΜ]ΥΡΝ[Α]ΙΩΝ, Nike walking right holding wreath and palm branch over shoulder RPC II 1028; BMC 319; Klose, XLII, 1; plate 31, V1/R1. (3.02 grams / 16 mm) eBay June 2022 Lot

Attribution Notes: The portrait on this Smyrnian bronze.. (with) the inscription OYEC P ACIANOC NEW TEPOC (‘the younger Vespasian’), has been a subject of much debate...An accidental mulling of a Vespasian Junior portrait die and a reverse die(of) Nemesis intended for an issue of Domitian’s wife Domitia makes it clear that the subject must be Vespasian Jr. Beyond this single issue, no other coins are known to name or portray Vespasian Junior..." NAC AG

Die Matches:  Per RIC, there are two obverse dies, which looks to be the case from many online examples.  For obv./rev. die match, see: Numismatica Ars Classica AG Auction 62; Lot 2031; 06.10.2011 For obverse die match (only), see RPC 1028, specimen No. 24

Although I rarely buy slabs, every once in a while one comes along cheap.  I went for this one because although slabbed by ANACS as a Vespasian as, it is actually Titus, and not an as, but rather a dupondius.  Oops.

Titus Æ Dupondius (c. 79 or 80-81 A.D.) Rome Mint  IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P CO[S VIII], radiate head right / [CERES AVGVST] S C, Ceres standing left, holding corn-ears and torch RIC 67 or 189 (see notes). (Slabbed ? grams / 26 mm) eBay Feb. 2022 

Attribution Note:  ANACS slab No. 7206889 erroneously described as Vespasian as.  Obverse legend obscure at end, the two possibilities for this type are:  RIC 67:  COS VII (79 A.D.) RIC 189:  COS VIII

 

 

 

 

 

[Ryro]

Way to go and coingrats! And what a good feeling, noticing something an auction house missed!

[Roman Collector]

2 hours ago, Marsyas Mike said:

Nice catch, @Orfew  I really enjoy finding misattributed coins on eBay - there's good stuff out there if you don't mind wading through the sludge. 

As for Vespasian, I bought this one earlier this summer.  It was described as:  "69-79 AD Roman Empire AE Dupondius Vespasian Coin"  Actually, it is an As/"Large AE"  issue from Ephesus / Asia Minor.  It is pretty rough, but as far as I can tell, quite scarce: 

Vespasian Æ Large (As?) (77-78 A.D.) Ephesus / Asia Minor Mint  [IMP CAESAR VESPA]SIAN  AVGVS[TVS], laureate head right / [PONT MAX TR PO]T P P · COS · VIII [CENS], [S] C in fields, Ceres seated left, holding two corn-ears and torch. RPC II 1472; RIC II 1498/1499. (11.99 grams / 28 x 26 mm) eBay June 2022 

Notes:  OCRE list RIC 1498 and RIC 1499 with identical descriptions but no examples for either; RPC Online references RIC 1498 only and Kraay 3. RPC has single example with SC in exergue; this one has it in the fields (C is behind Ceres; S not visible). Dots and line over VIII reverse not noted in references but visible here.

Another one, a Vespasian of sorts, is this one, Vespasian the Younger (or Vespasian II or Vespasian, Jr.) - a guy I'd never heard of.  This one came in an undescribed lot of miscellaneous ancients.  Vespasian the Younger was an adopted son of Domitian.  He didn't make it very long, and as far as I can tell, this issue from Smyrna is the only issue for him:  

Vespasian the Younger Æ 16 Smyrna, Ionia (c. 94-95 A.D.) ΟΥƐ[ϹΠΑϹΙ]ΑΝ[ΟϹ] ΝΕΩΤΕΡΟϹ, bare-headed bust right / [ΖΜ]ΥΡΝ[Α]ΙΩΝ, Nike walking right holding wreath and palm branch over shoulder RPC II 1028; BMC 319; Klose, XLII, 1; plate 31, V1/R1. (3.02 grams / 16 mm) eBay June 2022 Lot

Attribution Notes: The portrait on this Smyrnian bronze.. (with) the inscription OYEC P ACIANOC NEW TEPOC (‘the younger Vespasian’), has been a subject of much debate...An accidental mulling of a Vespasian Junior portrait die and a reverse die(of) Nemesis intended for an issue of Domitian’s wife Domitia makes it clear that the subject must be Vespasian Jr. Beyond this single issue, no other coins are known to name or portray Vespasian Junior..." NAC AG

Die Matches:  Per RIC, there are two obverse dies, which looks to be the case from many online examples.  For obv./rev. die match, see: Numismatica Ars Classica AG Auction 62; Lot 2031; 06.10.2011 For obverse die match (only), see RPC 1028, specimen No. 24

Although I rarely buy slabs, every once in a while one comes along cheap.  I went for this one because although slabbed by ANACS as a Vespasian as, it is actually Titus, and not an as, but rather a dupondius.  Oops.

Titus Æ Dupondius (c. 79 or 80-81 A.D.) Rome Mint  IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P CO[S VIII], radiate head right / [CERES AVGVST] S C, Ceres standing left, holding corn-ears and torch RIC 67 or 189 (see notes). (Slabbed ? grams / 26 mm) eBay Feb. 2022 

Attribution Note:  ANACS slab No. 7206889 erroneously described as Vespasian as.  Obverse legend obscure at end, the two possibilities for this type are:  RIC 67:  COS VII (79 A.D.) RIC 189:  COS VIII

 

 

 

 

 

That's interesting, @Marsyas Mike! Here's a Domitia from Smyrna with Nemesis on its reverse.

[LONGINUS]

Great acquisition, @Orfewand great to see you posting in the NVMIS FORVM !

 

This is my favorite and most recent Vespasian. It’s also the largest coin in my Judaean collection and is great in hand.

 

[Prieure de Sion]

Only one Vespasianus is mine actually, this silver hemidrachm. Nothing more. 
 

Titus Flavius Vespasianus, Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus
Hemidrachm of the Roman Imperial Period 69/79 AD
Material: Silver
Diameter: 15mm
Weight: 1.91g
Mint: Caesaraea Eusebia, Cappadocia
Reference: RPC II 1659, Sydenham Caesarea 94, Henseler 71, Metcalf 
Obverse: Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Inscription: YTOKP KAICAP OYECΠACIANOC CEBA for Autokrator Kaisar Vespasianos Sebastos (Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus).
Reverse: Nike advancing right, holding wreath in right hand and palm branch over shoulder in left. 
 
 

[Edessa]

One of the first coins I ever purchased. From Alex Malloy.

Vespasian, AD 69-79. AR Denarius. Rome mint. Struck AD 74. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Laureate head right. Rev: PON MAX - TR P COS V; Winged caduceus. Ref: RIC II.1 703; RSC 362.

[Dafydd]

This is a portrait I like.

Vespasian, 69-79 Denarius circa 75, AR 19.5mm., 3.58g. IMP CAESAR # VESPASIANVS AVG Laureate head r. Rev. PON MAX # TR P COS VI Pax seated l., holding branch. C 366. BMC 161. RIC 772. CBN 139.