Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 125 23-24 Jun 2021
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Uncertain Western Mint.
Aureus circa 69 to 71, AV 7.06 g. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS A – VG Laureate head r. Rev. CONSESVS – EXERC. Two soldiers clasping hands, each holds a vexillum surmounted by aquila. C 77 var. (CONSEN EXERCIT). BMC – cf. 369 note. RIC 1381 var. (CONSEN EXERCIT). Calicó 599 var. (CONSEN EXERCIT).
An apparently unrecorded reverse variety of an extremely rare type. An important and
interesting reverse type. Minor mark, otherwise good very fine / very fine
Ex NAC sale 84, 2015, 1812.
The Year of the Four Emperors (AD 69) had seen great bloodshed as the armies of the Roman Empire fought against each other in an attempt to place their own candidates on the imperial throne in Rome. It began with the legions of Lusitania and Hispania, which raised Galba to power on 8 June AD 68 and continued with the legions of Germania Inferior, which replaced Galba (or rather Otho after 15 January AD 69) with Vitellius on 19 April AD 69. On 1 July AD 69, Vespasian was also proclaimed emperor by the eastern legions. These were also joined by the armies of Moesia, Pannonia, and Illyricum, which were instrumental in seizing Rome from Vitellius, thereby establishing Vespasian as undisputed emperor and ending the civil war. This aureus explicitly celebrates the end of conflict between Roman legions that had characterized AD 69 by representing two soldiers with legionary standards clasping hands along with a legend referring to the "Agreement of the Armies." Here the implication is that not only did the legions agree to stop warring with each other, but to recognize Vespasian as the legitimate Emperor. This type proved to be very influential for Roman coins and was frequently deployed in various forms during and in the aftermath of periods of civil war down to the fourth century AD.
Aureus circa 69 to 71, AV 7.06 g. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS A – VG Laureate head r. Rev. CONSESVS – EXERC. Two soldiers clasping hands, each holds a vexillum surmounted by aquila. C 77 var. (CONSEN EXERCIT). BMC – cf. 369 note. RIC 1381 var. (CONSEN EXERCIT). Calicó 599 var. (CONSEN EXERCIT).
An apparently unrecorded reverse variety of an extremely rare type. An important and
interesting reverse type. Minor mark, otherwise good very fine / very fine
Ex NAC sale 84, 2015, 1812.
The Year of the Four Emperors (AD 69) had seen great bloodshed as the armies of the Roman Empire fought against each other in an attempt to place their own candidates on the imperial throne in Rome. It began with the legions of Lusitania and Hispania, which raised Galba to power on 8 June AD 68 and continued with the legions of Germania Inferior, which replaced Galba (or rather Otho after 15 January AD 69) with Vitellius on 19 April AD 69. On 1 July AD 69, Vespasian was also proclaimed emperor by the eastern legions. These were also joined by the armies of Moesia, Pannonia, and Illyricum, which were instrumental in seizing Rome from Vitellius, thereby establishing Vespasian as undisputed emperor and ending the civil war. This aureus explicitly celebrates the end of conflict between Roman legions that had characterized AD 69 by representing two soldiers with legionary standards clasping hands along with a legend referring to the "Agreement of the Armies." Here the implication is that not only did the legions agree to stop warring with each other, but to recognize Vespasian as the legitimate Emperor. This type proved to be very influential for Roman coins and was frequently deployed in various forms during and in the aftermath of periods of civil war down to the fourth century AD.