Seeing Double

[David Atherton]

Well, I should have checked my collection database before buying ... now I have two!

 

Vespasian

Æ Sestertius, 24.61g
Lyon mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.; globe at point of bust
Rev: S P Q R / •P•P• / OB CIVES / SERVATOS within oak wreath
RIC 1137 (R). BMC p. 198 note ‡. BNC 800.
Acquired from Savoca Coins, October 2022.

During the great bronze issue of 71 a sestertius reverse type was struck at both Rome and Lyon (Lugdunum) which commemorates the Senate awarding the corona civica to Vespasian. The corona civica was originally a military honour bestowed upon a Roman who had saved a fellow citizen'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. Artistically it is sometimes depicted with acorns scattered amongst the leaves. Plutarch believed the oak was chosen for this highest of honours for several reasons. The tree was easily found throughout the countryside and was quite convenient for fashioning a wreath when the need arose. Also, the oak is sacred to Jupiter and Juno and thus was an appropriate symbolic honour given to one who has saved the life of a fellow Roman citizen, or indeed the state. Finally, the early settlers of Rome, the Arcadians, were nicknamed 'acorn-eaters' in an oracle of Apollo.

The wreath was awarded to Vespasian by the Senate for rescuing the Roman people from civil war and bringing about peace. The legend within the wreath S P Q R / P P / OB CIVES / SERVATOS translates as: 'The Senate and the Roman People / Father of the Nation / For Having Saved the Citizens'. This rare Lugdunese specimen commemorating the award was struck during the first bronze issue at that mint.

 

And here's my first example.

 

Vespasian

Æ Sestertius, 25.51g
Lyon mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.; globe at point of bust
Rev: S P Q R / •P•P• / OB CIVES / SERVATOS within oak wreath
RIC 1137 (R). BMC p. 198 note ‡. BNC 800.
Ex Leu Web Auction 8, 29-30 June 2019, lot 1008.

 

Both have their issues and are not perfect, together they would make a super coin!

Please show your doubles.

Thanks for looking!

[LONGINUS]

Great post, David — It’s fun to compare the styles of different engravers producing the same imagery.

[shanxi]

It happens, I have some too 

Obverse and reverse die match:

Vespasian
Bronze
Obv.: OYECΠACIANOC KAICAP CEBA, laureate head of Vespasian right
Rev: IEPOKAICAPEΩN, stag standing right.
Æ, 18mm, 5.15g (upper coin, Ex Gorny&Mosch A271, 531)
Æ, 20mm, 3.85g (second coin)
Ref.: RPC II, 955, upper coin RPC 955-9 (this coin)

 

double die match of:
Lydia, Hierocaesaraea
Lucilla (Augusta, 164-182)
Bronze, AE 19
Obv: ΛΟVΚΙΛΛΑ СЄΒΑС, Draped bust right.
Rev: ΙЄΡΟΚΑΙСΑΡЄΩΝ, Artemis standing right, holding bow and drawing arrow from quiver on back.
Æ, 19.2mm, 5.34g
RPC IV online 1588-6 (this coin)
Æ, 19.3mm, 5.33g
RPC IV online 1588-9 (this coin)

 

Edited October 22, 2022 by shanxi

[Al Kowsky]

That is an interesting dilemma 🤔. Maybe it's a good thing you got the 2nd example, now you can show what the 1st coin looked like before it was over-cleaned 😄. When a collection grows to a large size it's difficult to remember individual coins. I've bought doubles more than once 🤨, the 2 coins pictured below are a good example. Both coins are RIC VI 776, & depict Constantine I, struck AD 307-308, Trier Mint, 1st Officina, & show Mars on the reverse holding a spear & shield. The 1st coin was purchased in January of 2011, & the 2nd coin was purchased in April of 2020. Both coins are high grade but the 2nd coin was struck from fresh dies & appears much sharper. So I ended up selling the 1st coin at CNG 483 for $180, covering the cost of the 2nd coin ☺️.

          

 

[Ed Snible]

Die matched fourrees from Apollonia Pontika:

1.99 and 1.97g

The lower one with test punches.

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Interesting coins. I don't have any die matches at the moment. 

[CPK]

Nice coins @David Atherton. Here's a pair of duplicates I own. I prefer the portrait on the first one, but the reverse on the second is much better. 

 

[seth77]

This was no accident:
 

 

 

 

[Edessa]

I was so happy to get a Dover Mint. Twice. Same Moneyer.

British Anglo-Saxon, Kings of All England. Aethelred II, AD 978-1016. AR Penny (20mm, 1.52g, 4h). Long Cross type (BMC iva, Hild. D). Dover mint; Leofhyse, moneyer. Struck circa AD 997-1003. Obv:  •✠•ÆÐELRÆD REX Λ(NG)L; Draped bust left; pellet behind neck. Rev: ✠LEΘFHУSE M•Θ DΘFR; Voided long cross with pellet in center and triple crescent ends. Ref: SCBI 7 (Copenhagen), 131; North 774; SCBC 1151. Good Very Fine, rich old cabinet tone, weak on forehead. Ex Magnus Collection. Ex Spink Auction 212 (28 Mar 2012), Lot 371. Ex Seaby Coin & Medal Bulletin 631 (March 1971), no. H690.  Ex CNG eAuction 421 (30 May 2018), Lot 739.

British Anglo-Saxon. Kings of All England. Æthelred II, AD 978-1016. AR Penny (21mm, 1.56g, 3h). Long cross type. Dover mint; Leofhyse, moneyer. Struck circa AD 997-1003. Obv: + ÆÐELRÆD REX Λ•(NG)L•; Draped bust left; pellet behind neck. Rev: + LEOFHУSE M•O DOFR; Voided long cross with pellet in center and triple crescent ends. Ref: SCBI 7 (Copenhagen), 131 var. (obv. legend); BMC -; North 774; SCBC 1151. Near Extra Fine, lightly toned. Ex Triton XII, Lot 1127 (5 January 2009).