RIC 1345 Vespasian

AR Denarius, 3.24g
Uncertain Western Mint, 69-70 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVGVSTV; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: LIBERTAS PVBLICA; Libertas stg. l., with pileus and rod
RIC 1345 (R2). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
Ex Pecunem 41, 6 March 2016, lot 675.

Many mints were operating during the civil war of 68/69 in the west and it is sometimes difficult to pin down certain issues to a specific mint. This Libertas type with an unusual AVGVSTV ending the obverse legend is one such coin and was totally unknown until recently. The reverse type suggests Spain, as does the portrait style - which is very similar to the gold and bronze issues from Tarraco. However, RIC notes that this variety of the type has no known Spanish provenance, unlike the other Libertas type (see my V1339) attributed to Spain. The coin's theme is a civil war one and most certainly was struck very early in Vespasian's reign.

A beautiful coin in hand with a spectacular portrait.