Very interesting Vespasian sestertius, Judaea Capta series, without captive

[Roman_Egypt]

Hello all!

I have been show this Vespasian sestertius, Judaea Capta series, without captive. This is a very cool coin as the tree is moved to the right with no captive, unlike the other reverses. Seems like a pretty cool coin, it is unlisted and the gentleman who owns it has never been able to find any info on this obverse die as neither have I in the short time I have been researching it.

Anyone ever seen one like this or have any info on it?

Thanks!

[curtislclay]

Looks like RIC 216 (R2).

Coin is from rev. die P149 in Colin Kraay's unpublished die catalogue of Flavian sestertii. Kraay points out that the same rev. die had earlier been used by Vitellius, BMC pl. 64.2. For Vespasian Kraay knew just this rev. die and one other with this type variant and S C in exergue rather than in field. Your die combination is new to Kraay: he knew this rev. die in combination with two other obv. dies of Vespasian. I don't have the time to check whether your obv. die is altogether new to Kraay or was known to him combined with other rev. dies.

[Roman_Egypt]

Thank you! It sure does look like RIC 216, here is one in better condition in a German Museum.

http://ikmk.smb.museum/object?id=18225255

[Eduard J]

I have a similar sestertius of Vespasianus in my collection and, like the example you show, it lacks the captive at the base of the palm tree. If I remember, when researching this coin I came across at least one more example of the type without the captive.

The obverse legend, however, is different to your example.
The reverse legend is similar except it reads Augusti Victoria instead of Victoria Augusti.





 
 

[stevex6]

Very cool OP-coin (I love the honest ol' coin texture/fabric)

Oh, and great thread example from Eduard J (very nice)

Ummm, I'm hoping that you guys will also enjoy seeing my Lucius Verus example => similar reverse type (again, without captive)

Lucius Verus AE Sestertius
164 AD
Diameter: 33 mm
Weight: 26.69 grams
Obverse: L AVREL VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS, laureate head right
Reverse: TR P IIII IMP II COS II S-C, Victory standing right, placing a shield inscribed VIC/AVG in two lines on palm
Reference: RIC 1396, Cohen 249
Other: Sweet portrait

cheers