Watch List notes:

The Roman Empire
Vespasian, 69 – 79

Sestertius 71, Æ 23.45 g. IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P P P COS III Laureate head r. Rev. S – C Mars, naked but for cloak over l. shoulder, advancing r., holding spear in r. hand and trophy over l. shoulder. C 440. BMC 568. RIC 247. CBN 538.
A bold portrait and an artistic reverse die. A delicate untouched green patina
with some minor porosity on obverse, otherwise extremely fine


Ex NAC sale 72, 2013, 625.

The reverse type of Mars advancing (and likely an image of Mars Ultor) is common to all three Flavians. The representation of Mars is different from the Augustan types but likely has a similar inference – here being that of avenging the rebellion of the Jews. Even so the connection to earlier Augustan issues was probably well recognized at the time. Here both sides are very delicately engraved and the detail on the reverse is outstanding. MSG.