RIC 1228 Vespasian

Æ As, 10.19g
Lyon mint, 77-78 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS VIII P P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.; globe at point of bust
Rev: AEQVITAS AVGVSTI; S C in field; Aequitas stg. l., with scales and rod
RIC 1228 (C3). BMC 842. BNC 839.
Ex eBay, 6 February 2020.

Vespasian inherited a financial mess upon his accession in 69. His top priority was putting the state on a sound financial footing. Symbolic of that righting of the empire was the common reverse type of Aequitas. Aequitas holding her scales and measuring rod was probably based on a cult image of the deity. She first shows up as an imperial virtue on the coinage under Galba, a virtue that Vespasian was eager to emulate. This As from late in the reign was struck at Lugdunum (modern Lyon) in a fairly substantial issue, likely produced to rectify a bronze coinage shortage in the Western provinces.

Nice style and good metal.