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RIC 0232 Vespasian
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Æ Sestertius, 25.70g
Rome mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: HONOS ET VIRTVS; S C in exergue; Honos stg. r. with sceptre and cornucopiae, and Virtus stg. l. with spear and parazonium
RIC 232 (R). BMC 530. BNC 484.
Acquired from Den of Antiquity, October 2020.
Struck during Vespasian's massive bronze issue of 71, this HONOS ET VIRTVS reverse type copies one struck earlier by Galba. The occasion for resurrecting it may have been prompted by Vespasian's restoration of the temple of Honos and Virtus recently damaged during Nero's great fire. Very rare, only two reverse dies for the type were recorded by C. Kraay.
Dark brown toning with some cleaning marks.
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