RIC 1218A Vespasian

Æ Dupondius, 8.76g
Lyon mint, 77-78 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS VIII P P; Head of Vespasian, radiate, r.; globe at point of bust
Rev: PAX AVG; S C in field; Pax stg. l., leaning on column, with caduceus and branch
RIC 1218A (R3). BMC -. BNC -.
Acquired from Aegean Numismatics, July 2021.

In 77-78 Lugdunum (modern Lyon) after a hiatus of several years struck a decently sized issue of bronze coinage, presumably to address a shortage in the Western provinces. The Pax leaning on column type was fleetingly struck on the dupondius for the issue. One unique radiate left specimen is cited by RIC (#1219) and the unpublished Addenda & Corrigenda cites one unique radiate right example (#1218A). This dupondius is the second known radiate right specimen and a die match with coin cited in the A&C. The reverse is likely based on a well known cult image of Pax. Curtis Clay has proposed, owing to the rarity of the Pax reverse for Vespasian in this issue, that the type may be a mule with a reverse intended for Titus Caesar.