RIC 0980 Vespasian (2)

AR Denarius, 3.20g
Rome mint, 77-78 AD
Obv: CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, right.
Rev: IMP XIX across field; Modius, standing on three legs, containing six ears of corn upright and two hanging over the sides
RIC 980 var. (five upright corn ears). BMC 216 var. (same.) RSC 216 var. (same). BNC 190 var. (same).
Acquired from Forvm Ancient Coins, July 2018.

A rare and, to my knowledge, unique variant of the common modius type. Normally just five corn-ears are seen standing upright with two hanging over the sides, here there are six standing upright. This deviation from the stock design was perhaps an engraver's error or whim. The modius type celebrates the emperor's provision of free grain to all Roman citizens, certainly a most valuable propaganda type! Unusually, the type was not directly modelled from any coin designs struck in the past and was part of an agrarian series of denarius reverse types struck between 77 and 78.

A superb portrait and well centred strike.