RIC 0977 Vespasian

AR Denarius, 3.19g
Rome mint, 77-78 AD
Obv: CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: IMP XIX in exergue; Goatherd std. l., milking goat l.
RIC 977 (R). BMC 220. RSC 220. BNC 193.
Acquired from Ancient Delights, August 2012.

One of the more interesting types issued in the whole of Flavian denarii. The goatherd milking goat reverse was minted along side a series of agrarian themed types (sow and piglets, modius and grain ears) perhaps evoking a message of agricultural bounty. The message and meaning of the reverse must have been very clear to city dwelling Romans but the subtleties are lost on us. The same type was also minted for Titus as Caesar, both types are very rare.

I had a devil of time finding this type, let alone one in such wonderful condition. Most of the reverses on these are worn away, here the rough cloak of the goatherd is distinctly visible. This coin is an obverse and reverse die match with the RIC plate coin.