A Rare Vespasian Victory Variant

[David Atherton]

Again, I'm flyspecking. This Vespasian dupondius is rare because of the obverse portrait. Most coin collectors wouldn't notice or care, but to a specialist it makes all the difference between a common or rare variety.

 

Vespasian
Æ Dupondius, 13.10g
Lyon mint, 77-78 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS VIII P P; Head of Vespasian, radiate, r.; globe at point of bust
Rev: S C in field; Victory flying l., with shield inscribed SPQR
RIC 1226 (R). BMC 841. BNC 835.
Acquired from Variana Coins, July 2024.

A rare radiate portrait variant of the common Lugdunese Victory reverse unique to that mint for Vespasian. This type was struck during his massive Lugdunese bronze issues of 71-72 and again in 77-78 and copies an earlier type produced for Nero. This example from 77-78 is characterised by the mint's distinctive style, globe at the point of the bust, and the majestic, sweeping Victory on the reverse. A majority of the Flavian bronzes found in France and the UK dating to Vespasian's reign are from the Lyon mint. Apparently there was a real need for another western mint to help supplement Rome's coinage production!

In hand.

 

I acquired the coin during the Paris Olympics a month ago, hence the music in the video. 🙂

Thank you for looking!

[Ancient Aussie]

Great buy David, that dealer you bought from has some real bargains.

[Amarmur]

That's a great obverse portrait. I have one Vespasian bronze that I cherish for the obverse portrait. Purchased  from Taters.