RIC 1375A Vespasian

AR Denarius, 3.13g
Uncertain mint, 69-71 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: SECVRITAS P R; Securitas std. l., with sceptre
RIC 1375A (R2). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
Ex NAC 125, 24 June 2021, lot 512. Ex Harry Sneh Collection.

An uncertain mint in the western provinces produced this extremely rare denarius for Vespasian sometime near the end of the Civil War of 69 AD. These denarii contain some stylistic affinities with contemporary Spanish coins, but more decisively, recent metal analysis by K. Butcher and M. Ponting show the silver content is almost identical to that of the Spanish issues. It is very likely these early military denarii were struck in Spain in late 69 soon after the province went over to Vespasian. The upward gaze and unVespasian-like portraits are hallmarks of the issue.

This is the second know example of the denarius Securitas type struck for the series (this coin cited in the RIC A&C). The first one was discussed on the Forvm discussion board in 2007. https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=38431.msg243240#msg243240 It later became the RIC plate coin for the newly discovered type.

Certainly a most appropriate and valuable propaganda type coming out of a Civil War!