Emperors of Rome - A (Chronological) Portrait Gallery

[idesofmarch01]

For Galba, the arrogant tightwad is his classic appearance:

GALBA  68 - 69 A.D.
AE Sestertius (28.10 g.)  Rome late summer 68 AD  RIC 309
IMP SER SVLP GALBA - CAESAR AVG TR P  Laureate and draped bust r.  Rev. LIBERTAS - PUBLICA  Libertas standing l., holding pileus and long scepter; S - C in field

As for Otho, any coin that illustrates his garish toupee:

OTHO  Jan. - Apr. 69 A.D.
AR Denarius (3.54 g.)  Rome 69 A.D.  RIC 4
Obv. Bare head of Otho r.  Rev. PAX ORBIS TERRARVM Pax standing left, holding branch and long caduceus

Finally, Vitellius is a bit of an enigma to me -- he never quite looks like an emperor.  In this coin, he just looks like your typical man-in-the-street, maybe even a little bit bewildered:

VITELLIUS  69 A.D.
AV Aureus (7.33 g.)  Rome Apr. - Dec. 69 A.D.  RIC 80
A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP TR P laureate head r.  Rev. LIBERTAS RESTITVTA Libertas standing facing, head r., holding pileus in r. hand and long rod in left

[Severus Alexander]

I think it's time for Vespasian, going by the time of the OP!

My favourite portrait of him is probably on this denarius from Ephesus.  Since it's early, though, it probably doesn't look a lot like him...

My later Rome mint denarius is more accurate, if somewhat cartoonish (as many of his portraits are):

I expect the best non-cartoonish portraits we'll see in the thread are on sestertii!

[Octavius]

 My favorite portraits of Vespasian are of him with his famous "constipated" look...

[CPK]

Indeed, time for Vespasian! One of my favorite Emperors - he brought social and financial stability back to Rome after Nero's ruinous reign.

His coins are also *relatively* inexpensive, which means it's easy to accumulate them.

Here are several of my favorite portrait coins:

 

 

 

[rvk]

31 minutes ago, Severus Alexander said:

My favourite portrait of him is probably on this denarius from Ephesus.  Since it's early, though, it probably doesn't look a lot like him..

My pick from the Ephesus mint. The eyes tended to be larger and blank which gives it a more "godly" or "mythical" appearance (IMO!).

 

[Shea19]

This provincial bronze is my favorite Vespasian:  

Vespasian, Antioch, 'Dupondius' (AE, 26 mm, 15.71 g). Laureate head of Vespasian to left./ Rev. Large S C within laurel wreath. McAlee 362b, RPC II 2009 (this coin illustrated).

[Roman Collector]

Here's my favorite Vespasian.

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, caput Vespasiani laureatum.
Rev: SALVS AVG, Salus sedens dextra pateram protendit.
Refs: RIC 58; RIC 2.1 522; BMCRE 87-89; Cohen/RSC 432; CBN 76; RCV 2307.

Edited January 15, 2023 by Roman Collector

[Numisnewbie]

This is by far my favorite portrait of Vespasian - I wish the coin were mine. I think this is the most realistic impression I've seen of him, without the usual contorted or exxagerated features and expressions.

[Limes]

My only Vespasian (but there's a new addition on its way to my collection!) 

[mc9]

My 3 Vespasianus coins :

IMP CAES VES - P AVG P M :  laureate head right

TRI – POT : Vesta, veiled, seated left holding ladle

 AD 70-71, Denarius, 3.35 gr., Rome, RIC II 37

IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III, head laureate right, globe below neck

 AEQVITAS AVGVSTI S|C, Aequitas standing left, holding scales and scepter

A.D. 71 , As, 9.42 gr. gm , Rome, RIC II 482

IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P COS III : laureate head right

FORTUNAE REDVCI S|C :  Fortunae standing left, holding branch and rudder on globe and cornucopiae

A.D.71, Sestertius, 25.12 gr., Rome, RIC II 422 p.67

[Qcumbor]

Vespasian has some great and strong portraits.

I love the following, 

Vespasian, Denarius - Rome mint, 72-73 CE
IMP CAES VESP A VG PM COS IIII, laureate head right
CONCORDIA AVGVSTI, Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera and cornucopia
3.37 gr
Ref : RSC # 74

 

180 years later, under Trajan Decius, the celator could still capture some veracity in his portraits

Vespasianus, Antoninianus - Rome mint, 250/251 CE
DIVO VESPASIANO Radiate head right
CONSECRATIO Eagle facing
4,61 gr - 23 mm
Ref : RIC IV # 79, Cohen # 651, RCV # 9460,

Q

 

Edited January 15, 2023 by Qcumbor

[shanxi]

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

[John Conduitt]

A rather worn Vespasian.

Vespasian Denarius, 74
Rome. Silver, 18mm, 3.01g. Laureate head Right; IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG. Emperor seated right on curule chair, feet on a low footstool, holding branch and sceptre; PON MAX TRP COS V (RIC II, 702). From the Westbury Sub Mendip (Somerset) Hoard 2016, Portable Antiquities Scheme: SOM-F1847A.

[Prieure de Sion]

Titus Flavius Vespasianus as Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 74 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 18mm; Weight: 3.22g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Vespasian 703; Provenance: Ex In Asta Numismatic San Marino; Obverse: Head of Vespasian, laureate, right. The Inscription reads: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG for Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus; Reverse: Winged caduceus, upright. The Inscription reads: PON MAX TR P COS V for Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate, Consul Quintum (High priest, holder of tribunician power, consul for the fifth time).

 

 

Titus Flavius Vespasianus as Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 77/78 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 18mm; Weight: 3.45g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Vespasian 938; Provenance: Ex In Asta Numismatic San Marino; Obverse: Head of Vespasian, laureate, right. The Inscription reads: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG for Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus; Reverse: Mars, helmeted, naked except for cloak round waist, standing left, holding spear slanting upwards in right hand and trophy on left shoulder in left. The Inscription reads: COS VIII for Consul Octavum (Consul for the eighth time).

 

 

 

Titus Flavius Vespasianus as Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 75 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 19mm; Weight: 3.34g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Vespasian 777; Provenance: Ex Nomisma Numismatico San Marino; Obverse: Head of Vespasian, laureate, right. The Inscription reads: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG for Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus; Reverse: Victory, draped, standing left on prow, holding wreath up in right hand and palm upright in left. The Inscription reads: PON MAX TR P COS VI for Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate, Consul Sextum (High priest, holder of tribunician power, consul for the sixth time).

 

 

Titus Flavius Vespasianus as Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 76 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 18mm; Weight: 3.26g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC II, Part 1 (second edition) Vespasian 847; Provenance: Ex Nomisma Numismatico San Marino; Obverse: Head of Vespasian, laureate, right. The Inscription reads: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG for Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus; Reverse: Eagle with wings spread, standing front on low garlanded base, head left, holding thunderbolt in claws. The Inscription reads: COS VII for Consul Septimum (Consul for the seventh time).

 

 

 

Titus Flavius Vespasianus as Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus

Hemidrachm of the Roman Imperial Period 69/79 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 15mm; Weight: 1.50g; Mint: Caesarea Eusebia, Cappadocia; Reference: RPC II 1659, Metcalf 17, Sydenham Caesarea 94; Obverse: Laureate head of Vespasian, right. The Inscription reads: ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΟΥƐϹΠΑϹΙΑΝΟϹ ϹƐΒΑ for Autokratoros Kaisaros Vespasianos Sebastos (Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus); Reverse: Nike advancing right, wreath in right hand, palm in left hand.

 

 

 

Divus Vespasianus under Trajanus Decius

Antoninianus of the Roman Imperial Period 250/251 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 23mm; Weight: 3.62g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Trajan Decius 79; Obverse: Head of Divus Vespasianus, radiate, right. The Inscription reads: DIVO VESPASIANO for Divo Vespasiano (To the divine Vespasianus); Reverse: Eagle, with open wings, standing front on bar, head right. The Inscription reads: CONSECRATIO for Consecratio (Consecration).

 

 

 

Hm. That's all, that's all I have. I realise - I need more Vespasian 🙂 

[Jims,Coins]

Silver coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome during the reign of VESPASIAN in 73 A.D. Obv. IMP.CAES.VESP.AVG.P.M.COS.IIII.CEN.: laur. head l. Rev. FIDES.PVBL.: Clasped hands holding caduceus, grain stalks and a poppy. RSCII #164 pg.42. RICII #55 pg. 21. DVM #25.

 

Edited January 15, 2023 by Jims,Coins

[LONGINUS]

 

Great post, @CPK and awesome display of Vespasian portraits, folks ⭐⭐⭐⭐ !

 

 

 

Edited January 15, 2023 by LONGINUS

[DonnaML]

I've posted all four of my Vespasians quite recently, so I'll omit the write-ups.

Imperial:

Provincial, Caesarea-Eusebia, Cappadocia (Vespasian & Titus):

Divus Vespasian, issued under Titus:

[Dafydd]

Some wonderful coins here!

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.

 

Vespasian, 69-79 Dupondius circa 74, Æ 26mm., 9.41g. Radiate head r. Rev. Felicitas standing l., holding caduceus and cornucopiae. C 153. RIC 716.

 

 

Vespasian (69-79). Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch. Æ As  Rome mint, for use in Syria. Laureate head l. R/ S C within laurel wreath. McAlee 370; RPC II 1984. 

[Dafydd]

10 minutes ago, Dafydd said:

Some wonderful coins here!

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.

 

Vespasian, 69-79 Dupondius circa 74, Æ 26mm., 9.41g. Radiate head r. Rev. Felicitas standing l., holding caduceus and cornucopiae. C 153. RIC 716.

 

 

Vespasian (69-79). Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch. Æ As  Rome mint, for use in Syria. Laureate head l. R/ S C within laurel wreath. McAlee 370; RPC II 1984. 

I meant the coins preceding my own!

[LONGINUS]

14 hours ago, Dafydd said:

I meant the coins preceding my own!

Yours too are great!

The Antioch Æ is my favorite.

 

Edited January 16, 2023 by LONGINUS

[ambr0zie]

Some of my favorite Vespasian portaits:

[kapphnwn]

Vespasian Ae dupondius 73 AD Obv Head right radiate Rv Felicitas standing left holding cornucopia  RIC 581 Sear 2346 var This coin illustrated 11.93 grms 27 mm Photo by W. Hansen

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Well, no one has posted an Alexandrian tetradrachm of Vespasianus yet so I will. (Part of my pet project of getting the 12 Caesars in tets).

Vespasian. Tet of Alexandria, 25 mm 12.2 grams. Reverse: Nike. On this one you can tell there is some silver in the coin. 

 

[CPK]

13 minutes ago, Ancient Coin Hunter said:

Well, no one has posted an Alexandrian tetradrachm of Vespasianus yet so I will. (Part of my pet project of getting the 12 Caesars in tets).

I've got one, but it's not my best portrait. 

12 Caesars in tetradrachmae? What about Julius Caesar?

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

3 minutes ago, CPK said:

I've got one, but it's not my best portrait. 

12 Caesars in tetradrachmae? What about Julius Caesar?

Can't do all 12 and can't do Caesar or Augustus I believe at least. With the latter it would have to be a different denomination. So far I have Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vespasian, Titus and Domitian. That leaves a few holes. For close-to-Caesar one would need a coin of his issue Caesarion.