Gemini, LLC
Auction X 13 January 2013
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Vespasian. 69-79 AD. Sestertius, 24.90g. (7h). Rome, 71 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG P M T P P P COS III Bust laureate right, Medusa head and aegis on front shoulder. Rx: RO - MA and S - C across field, Roma standing left holding statuette of Pax or Victory in right hand and transverse legionary eagle in left; she rests her left elbow on a trophy (cuirass mounted on tree trunk), and places her left foot on a helmet; an oval shield leans against the trophy. RIC 107 corr. (R2), pl. 18 = BM 775, pl. 34.6 (same dies). Cohen 417 (Musee Correr, 10 Fr.). Exceptional portrait style. VF/Fine.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, acquired from Jencek, February 2011.
An elaborate Roma type, showing her leaning on trophy and holding statuette and legionary eagle, apparently known only from two sestertius reverse dies of Galba (RIC 450-1; Kraay, Galba, pl. IV, P22 and P24) and two more of Vespasian, ours with RO - MA across field and another with ROMA to left in circular legend (RIC 106-7; Kraay, P57 and P77). Very rare; of our exact variety Kraay 78 knew just four specimens, namely BM 775, Oxford ex Fitzwilliam 401, Ryan part 2355, and Mazzini 416. RIC sees a fold of cloak on the front shoulder of Vespasian's portrait, but the highly accurate and reliable Kraay calls it an aegis, which accords with its appearance on our coin. The identity of the statuette held by Roma is hard to establish, because its attributes are often indistinct: Pax with branch and cornucopia, Fortuna with rudder and cornucopia, and Victory with wreath and palm have all been proposed. The trophy on which Roma leans is missing the helmet which would usually represent its "head", but Roma places her left foot on a helmet, which we should perhaps interpret as belonging to the trophy.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection, acquired from Jencek, February 2011.
An elaborate Roma type, showing her leaning on trophy and holding statuette and legionary eagle, apparently known only from two sestertius reverse dies of Galba (RIC 450-1; Kraay, Galba, pl. IV, P22 and P24) and two more of Vespasian, ours with RO - MA across field and another with ROMA to left in circular legend (RIC 106-7; Kraay, P57 and P77). Very rare; of our exact variety Kraay 78 knew just four specimens, namely BM 775, Oxford ex Fitzwilliam 401, Ryan part 2355, and Mazzini 416. RIC sees a fold of cloak on the front shoulder of Vespasian's portrait, but the highly accurate and reliable Kraay calls it an aegis, which accords with its appearance on our coin. The identity of the statuette held by Roma is hard to establish, because its attributes are often indistinct: Pax with branch and cornucopia, Fortuna with rudder and cornucopia, and Victory with wreath and palm have all been proposed. The trophy on which Roma leans is missing the helmet which would usually represent its "head", but Roma places her left foot on a helmet, which we should perhaps interpret as belonging to the trophy.