Sestertius of Vespasian

[GERMANICVS]

Back in 2017 I was the winning bidder for this interesting coin:

It is a sestertius of Vespasian bearing the legend SPQR P P OB CIVES SERVATOS within an Oak Wreath (Corona Civica).

The full inscription "Senatus Populus Que Romanus Pater Patriae Ob Cives Servatos"  translates as ''The Senate and the people of Rome, Father of the Country, For saving citizens''. This was an award conferred by the senate upon the recipient for having saved the lives or restored the freedom of roman citizens.
This motif, or variants of it, is found on sestertii and other bronzes of Augustus, Gaius, Claudius, Galba, Vespasian. It is also found in denarii and aureii.  

Vespasian, Sestertius, Lugdunum, 71,
Obverse: laureate bust right, globe at point, imp caes vespasian avg p m tr p p p cos iii, 
Reverse: spqr p p ob cives servatos in four lines within oak-wreath, 23.93g (RIC 1137; BMC p.198; C 531).

About very fine, chocolate-brown patina, rare;
Provenance: Seaby List M228, July 1934 (17379)

Thanks to the kind help of C.T forum members TIF and Meander I learnt that this sestertius had originally been auctioned as part of the Prince Waldeck Collection, lot 344 in an auction by Muenzhandlung Basel 1 of 28th June 1934.

It seems Seaby bought the coin at this sale and then put it on their July FPL.

Here are pictures of this sestertius, as well as pictures frpm the original auction by Muenzhandel Basel of 1934.

The SPQR PP OB CIVES SERVATOS legend framed by a Corona Civica is a motif that I find very appealing, and I am sure other collector do too - if you have any examples in your collections, please don't hesitate to post them.

I have also attached photos of another sestertius similar type which I found later at the Frankfurt Numismata, unfortunately pitted and damaged, but still wholesome, in my opinion.  Like I said, I really  like the type..... 

 

 

Edited December 7, 2024 by GERMANICVS
grammar - added picture