Rare Vespasian Securitas As Variant

[David Atherton]

This is the sort of coin that warms the cockles of my heart, another flyspecking special. Granted, it's not flashy nor in superb condition ... but it's rare and very tough to come by. Most collectors would pass this piece over as nondescript - luckily for me they did!

 

Vespasian
Æ As, 13.00g*
Lyon mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN AVG COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.; globe at point of bust
Rev: SECVRITAS AVGVSTI; S C in field; Securitas std. r., head resting on raised arm, with sceptre; to r., altar and torch
RIC 1173 (R2). BMC -. BNC -.
Acquired from Variana Coins, July 2024.

Lugdunum (modern Lyon) struck a fairly large issue of aes coinage during the great bronze issue of 71. Most of the reverse types copy those produced at Rome, however, unique to the mint is this seated Securitas type showing the goddess resting her head on her hand in a relaxed pose - no doubt based on a cult image. It was struck for both the dupondii and asses. Mattingly observed in BMCRE II: 'The type of Securitas was not without reason popular in Gaul after the terrors of the revolt.' (p. lxi). This variant with S C in field rather than more commonly in exergue is exceptionally rare. Missing from both the BM and Paris collections.

* Overweight for an as.

In hand.

 

As always, thanks for looking!

 

[CPK]

Solid example - congrats!