David Atherton Posted September 4, 2023 · Member Share Posted September 4, 2023 (edited) Yet another silver rarity to share. This time it's an Ephesian denarius, possibly the second known example. I'm truly excited to share it here! VespasianAR Denarius, 3.09g Ephesus mint, 73 AD (late) Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS IIII TR P P P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: AVG and star in oak wreath RIC 1452 (R3). BMC -. RSC -, RPC -. BNC -. Ex Harlan J Berk, MBS 224, lot 115. Ex Curtis Clay Collection. Ex Lanz, eBay, 13 September 2012. An exceedingly rare Ephesian COS IIII denarius. RIC cites just one specimen (from different dies) of this AVG in oak wreath variety from a private collection. This is undoubtedly the scarcest issue struck for Vespasian at Ephesus, likely due to production spanning just a few weeks or days at the end of 73 just prior to Vespasian becoming COS V on 1 January 74. In hand. Thanks for looking! Edited September 4, 2023 by David Atherton 21 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Atherton Posted September 4, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted September 4, 2023 (edited) And just to demonstrate how quickly the COS IIII issue changed over to COS V, here is a denarius clearly showing the new COS V date re-engraved over the older COS IIII date. Vespasian OverdateAR Denarius, 3.33g Ephesus mint, 74 AD Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS V TR P P P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: PACI AVGVSTAE; Victory adv. r., with wreath and palm; at lower r., star RIC 1457 (C). BMC 475. RSC 277. RPC 853 (10 spec.). BNC 368. Acquired from Beast Coins, March 2011. Edited September 6, 2023 by David Atherton 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limes Posted September 4, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted September 4, 2023 (edited) Fantastic catch! I have to ask though, how many coins did you get from the Curtis Clay collection? Edited September 4, 2023 by Limes 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Atherton Posted September 5, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted September 5, 2023 7 hours ago, Limes said: Fantastic catch! I have to ask though, how many coins did you get from the Curtis Clay collection? Only @ 10 pieces so far. A once in a lifetime opportunity! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orfew Posted September 5, 2023 · Member Share Posted September 5, 2023 A fantastic coin David! Just wonderful! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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