|
RIC 0878 Vespasian
|
Æ Sestertius, 26.01g
Rome mint, 76 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS VII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: FORTVNAE REDVCI; S C in field; Fortuna stg. l., with branch and rudder on globe, and cornucopiae
RIC 878 (R2). BMC -. BNC 744.
Acquired from Savoca Coins, April 2022.
The Rome mint produced its largest issue of bronze coinage under Vespasian in 71. Afterwards, with each passing year the issues became smaller and smaller. By 76 the bronze issues were minuscule, as this extremely rare variant of the normally common Fortuna reverse type demonstrates. It carries an important propaganda message concerning the safe return (REDVCI) of the imperial household which can be translated as 'Fortune the home-bringer'. This 76 variant is missing from the BM.
|
|