David Atherton Posted April 28 · Member Share Posted April 28 My latest addition is a Rome mint sestertius from 71 featuring the corona civica on the reverse - a most devilishly hard variety to come by! I already have two examples from Lugdunum (and they aren't exactly common either!), but could never seem to find one from Rome ... until now! Vespasian Æ Sestertius, 24.74g Rome mint, 71 AD Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: S P Q R / OB / CIVES / SERVATOS within oak wreath RIC 254 (R2). BMC 573. BNC 551. Acquired from Petasos Coins, March 2024. In the great bronze issue of 71 a sestertius reverse type was struck at both Rome and Lugdunum which commemorates the Senate awarding the corona civica to Vespasian. 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 / OB CIVES / SERVATOS translates as: 'The Senate and the Roman People / For Having Saved the Citizens'. This rare Rome mint specimen commemorating the award was struck during the third sestertius issue of 71. Purchased from a European dealer, it appears to be from an old collection. 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. In hand. Thank you for looking/watching! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limes Posted April 28 · Supporter Share Posted April 28 Nice addition David. The tradition in the imperial era is also shown on this issue of Claudius. Perhaps for saving the citizens from Caligula? 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted April 28 · Patron Share Posted April 28 2 hours ago, Limes said: Nice addition David. The tradition in the imperial era is also shown on this issue of Claudius. Perhaps for saving the citizens from Caligula? That's certainly more generous than what Seth Stevenson had to say about it in A Dictionary of Roman Coins, Republican and Imperial. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted April 28 · Supporter Share Posted April 28 An excellent specimen David! Congrats on acquiring such a rarity. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sulla80 Posted April 28 · Supporter Share Posted April 28 18 minutes ago, Roman Collector said: That's certainly more generous than what Seth Stevenson had to say about it in A Dictionary of Roman Coins, Republican and Imperial. Wow - that is surprisingly agressive.... 2 hours ago, David Atherton said: My latest addition is a Rome mint sestertius from 71 featuring the corona civica on the reverse - a most devilishly hard variety to come by! I already have two examples from Lugdunum (and they aren't exactly common either!), but could never seem to find one from Rome ... until now! Vespasian Æ Sestertius, 24.74g Rome mint, 71 AD Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: S P Q R / OB / CIVES / SERVATOS within oak wreath RIC 254 (R2). BMC 573. BNC 551. Acquired from Petasos Coins, March 2024. In the great bronze issue of 71 a sestertius reverse type was struck at both Rome and Lugdunum which commemorates the Senate awarding the corona civica to Vespasian. 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 / OB CIVES / SERVATOS translates as: 'The Senate and the Roman People / For Having Saved the Citizens'. This rare Rome mint specimen commemorating the award was struck during the third sestertius issue of 71. Purchased from a European dealer, it appears to be from an old collection. 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. In hand. Thank you for looking/watching! Another interesting post & coin @David Atherton! Congrats on your latest good looking Flavian coin. The reference to βαλανηφdγοι or "acorn eaters" is one that I find entertaining: often used as a derogatory term to mean "primitive" or "barbarous"... not having yet discovered grain or not haveing been given grain by Ceres. Acorns appear on some early coins in Rome e.g. this semiuncia from Numismatica Ars Classica (not my coin) Plutarch puts a noble spin on "acorn eaters": "This is the civic crown which the law bestows upon one who has saved the life of a fellow-citizen in battle, either because the oak was held in special honour for the sake of the Arcadians,who were called acorn-eaters in an oracle of Apollo; or because they could speedily find an abundance of oak wherever they fought; or because it was thought that the garland of oak leaves, being sacred to Jupiter, the city’s guardian, was fittingly bestowed upon one who saved the life of a citizen." -Plutarch, LIfe of Caius Marcius Coriolanus 3.3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limes Posted April 28 · Supporter Share Posted April 28 2 hours ago, Roman Collector said: That's certainly more generous than what Seth Stevenson had to say about it in A Dictionary of Roman Coins, Republican and Imperial. Well, as we say here, "daar is geen woord Frans bij" 🙂 Thanks for sharing, did not know about this statement. I would not use the same qualifications of Claudius, but yes, I dont think he was the Superman amongst Emperors! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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