RIC 1166 Vespasian

Æ As, 10.80g
Lyon mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.; globe at point of bust
Rev: PROVIDENT; S C in field; Altar
RIC 1166 (R2). BMC Specimen acquired 1959. BNC -.
Acquired from CGB.fr, October 2020.

Tiberius was the first to strike the PROVIDENT altar type for Divus Augustus. The altar depicted is dedicated to Providentia, the personification of the emperor's divine providence. Although the type is commonly described in the major references as an altar, Marvin Tameanko has convincingly argued it is actually a sacellum, or small shrine. This popular reverse was later revived during the Civil War by Galba and Vitellius. Vespasian began striking it early in his reign, especially during his great bronze issue of 71 at both Rome and Lugdunum. This Lugdunese example is much rarer than the Rome variant.

Struck on an oversized flan in superb style.