Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 125 23-24 Jun 2021
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Uncertain Western Mint.
Aureus circa 69 to 71, AV 7.21 g. CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Laureate bust r. Rev. Vespasian riding l., r. hand raised; below, IMP. C –. BMC –. RIC – cf. 1367 (denarius). CBN –. Calicó –.
Apparently unique and a very interesting new reverse type. Very fine
Ex Roma Numismatics e-sale 55, 2019, 731 (attributed to the mint of Rome).
Although the types of this coin were certainly used for denarii of Vespasian struck in the period AD 69-71 (RIC 1367), the present coin is the only gold specimen known to employ them. This unique aureus depicts Vespasian on horseback raising his hand in an apparent gesture of greeting. As similar types were frequently used in the third century to celebrate the arrival of the emperor (as clearly indicated by the legend ADVENTVS) it seems very likely that this issue was struck in honor of Vespasian's arrival in Rome from the East. Although Rome had been captured on his behalf by M. Antonius Primus and the Pannonian legions in late December AD 69, Vespasian did not arrive at the capital from Alexandria until the middle of AD 70. It is tempting to think that this aureus and associated denarii were struck to commemorate his adventus and the end of civil war that it represented. Such coins may even have been distributed to the crowds as imperial largesse as Vespasian rode through the streets to take his place as the first Flavian Emperor of Rome.
Aureus circa 69 to 71, AV 7.21 g. CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Laureate bust r. Rev. Vespasian riding l., r. hand raised; below, IMP. C –. BMC –. RIC – cf. 1367 (denarius). CBN –. Calicó –.
Apparently unique and a very interesting new reverse type. Very fine
Ex Roma Numismatics e-sale 55, 2019, 731 (attributed to the mint of Rome).
Although the types of this coin were certainly used for denarii of Vespasian struck in the period AD 69-71 (RIC 1367), the present coin is the only gold specimen known to employ them. This unique aureus depicts Vespasian on horseback raising his hand in an apparent gesture of greeting. As similar types were frequently used in the third century to celebrate the arrival of the emperor (as clearly indicated by the legend ADVENTVS) it seems very likely that this issue was struck in honor of Vespasian's arrival in Rome from the East. Although Rome had been captured on his behalf by M. Antonius Primus and the Pannonian legions in late December AD 69, Vespasian did not arrive at the capital from Alexandria until the middle of AD 70. It is tempting to think that this aureus and associated denarii were struck to commemorate his adventus and the end of civil war that it represented. Such coins may even have been distributed to the crowds as imperial largesse as Vespasian rode through the streets to take his place as the first Flavian Emperor of Rome.