Vespasian Temple of Isis Sestertius

[David Atherton]

I am absolutely stunned to have recently acquired this long sought after 'grail' coin in a recent CNG auction. Pedigreed back to 1952 and at half the hammer I initially thought it would go for! Also, correct me if I am wrong, this is the only depiction of the temple of Isis on a Roman imperial coin.

‘The military, while night still reigned, had all marched out in companies and divisions, under their commanders, and had drawn up, not round the doors of the upper palace, but near the temple of Isis; for there the emperors reposed that night. At the break of dawn, Vespasian and Titus issued forth, with laurel and clad in the traditional purple robes, and proceeded to the Octavian walks; for here the senate and chief magistrates and those of equestrian rank were awaiting their coming.’ – Josephus, Jewish War 7.5.4.

 

Vespasian
Æ Sestertius, 24.01g
Rome mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG P M T P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: S C in field; Temple of Isis
RIC 116 (R2). BMC -. BNC 536.
Ex CNG E571, 26 September 2024, lot 1043. Ex Oslo Myntgalleri 28, 6 May 2022, lot 289. Ex CNG 50, 23 June 1999, lot 76. Ex Glendining’s, 2 April 1952, lot 2364 (part). Ex V. J. E. Ryan Collection.

An extremely rare sestertius struck for Vespasian in 71 depicting the Temple of Isis in the Campus Martius on the reverse. According to Josephus, Vespasian and Titus spent the night before their joint Jewish War triumph in the temple, this type possibly commemorates the event. The coin shows a Corinthian temple mounted on a podium with an Egyptian styled semi-circular architrave topped by a solar disk and a statue of Isis standing between the columns. The pediment depicts a statue of Isis-Sothis riding the dog Sirius. The temple was later destroyed in the Great Fire of 80 and rebuilt by Domitian. The reverse was fleetingly struck in 71 with just one reverse die, lending credence to the theory it is indeed a triumphal type produced for the occasion. Kraay dismisses the triumph connection stating the coin was struck in the spring of 71, a few months before the triumph in June. Surely, the triumph was planned many months in advance and the die designers at the mint were somewhat aware of the itinerary and struck the type as a commemorative piece. Missing from the BM. Double die match with the Paris specimen.

In hand.

 

Easily this coin is a contender for my top coin of 2024. A tremendously satisfying addition.

Please feel free to share your temple coins!

As always, thank you for looking!

Edited October 8, 2024 by David Atherton

[Robi]

Wow!!! Great coin! Congratulation 🏆🙂

[Limes]

Fantastic coin David! I was watching this coin, but lacked the funds to try my luck. Such a rare beauty for either the Flavian fanatic or architectural collector (or both). The reverse of this coin looks much better in hand than on the CNG photo's. Lovely details! Happy to see this great coin find it's way to your collection. 

I did a little happy dance when earlier this year, I was able to win this issue. The reverse is magnificent, and the fact is was struck under Titus which makes it even more scarce is an addition bonus. 

Another temple coin (and from the Flavian dynasty) which makes me happy, is this one:

And to conclude this post; a coin with a semi-circular domed temple: 

[CPK]

A lovely coin and a fantastic addition to your collection! Such a cool reverse type, and very rare too. Congratulations! 👏

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Just a fabulous addition.

[Kali]

Fantastic addition!

[GERMANICVS]

That is a type I had never seen before. Congratulations on being able to add it to your collection.

I looked at acsearch listings out of curiosity, and saw a few Vespasian sestertii with the temple of ISIS on reverse. I am curious as to how do they differ from your coin.

 

 

I have always liked Architectural types (who doesn't?). Here are the examples in my collection. 

The Nero dupondius does not depict a Temple. The Macellum Magnum depicted on the reverse was actually a food market.

 

 

 

Edited October 7, 2024 by GERMANICVS

[KenDorney]

I missed that entire auction.  If I had attended, that coin would have cost sooooo much more!

[jdmKY]

Petillius Capitolinus, 43 BC, Capitoline Temple of Jupiter

Octavian, 36 BC, Temple of Divus Julius Caesar

[El Cazador]

57 minutes ago, jdmKY said:

Petillius Capitolinus, 43 BC, Capitoline Temple of Jupiter

Octavian, 36 BC, Temple of Divus Julius Caesar

Superb 1 and 3

[David Atherton]

12 hours ago, Limes said:

Fantastic coin David! I was watching this coin, but lacked the funds to try my luck. Such a rare beauty for either the Flavian fanatic or architectural collector (or both). The reverse of this coin looks much better in hand than on the CNG photo's. Lovely details! Happy to see this great coin find it's way to your collection. 

I did a little happy dance when earlier this year, I was able to win this issue. The reverse is magnificent, and the fact is was struck under Titus which makes it even more scarce is an addition bonus. 

Another temple coin (and from the Flavian dynasty) which makes me happy, is this one:

And to conclude this post; a coin with a semi-circular domed temple: 

Fantastic coins, especially the Titus cistophorus!

[David Atherton]

5 hours ago, KenDorney said:

I missed that entire auction.  If I had attended, that coin would have cost sooooo much more!

I think CNG's overexposed/high contrast photos didn't do it any favours either. It should've hammered much higher.