Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted (edited)

I picked this one rather cheaply from eBay last month. I thought it a neat little rarity for the price.

 

V820.jpg.c27621453493b5f4dbd549939f30879e.jpg
Vespasian
Æ Dupondius, 11.24g
Rome mint, 75 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG COS VI; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: VESTA in exergue; S C in field; Vesta std. l., with patera and palladium 
RIC 820 (R2). BMC 714A. BNC -.
Acquired from eBay, DK-Aureus Numismatics, January 2024.

It's not unusual for the Rome mint to strike coin types that conjure up feelings of familiarity and continuance. Vesta is certainly one of those types and Vespasian's moneyers made full use of her propaganda value. She frequently appears on the coinage with her message of religious piety and security. Her main attribute here is the palladium - a wooden cult image of Pallas Athena which oversees the safety and well being of Rome. This is a decently scarce variety, missing from Paris and rated 'very rare' in RIC.

In hand.

 

As always, thanks for looking!

Edited by David Atherton
  • Like 14

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...