RIC 0333 Vespasian

Æ As, 10.35g
Rome mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: VICTORIA AVGVSTI; S C in exergue; Victory adv. r. to place wreath on standard and holding palm
RIC 333 (R2). BMC -. BNC -.
Acquired from eBay, August 2020.

This rare As struck in 71 is the earliest Vespasianic appearance of Victory placing a wreath on a standard. The type would be more commonly struck for the denarius during Vespasian and Titus's joint consulship a year or so later. Often this Victory type is erroneously attributed as part of the 'Judaea Capta' series. I think it can be correctly viewed as simply a generic Victory with no specific war in mind.

The type was unpublished until the its appearance in the new RIC II.1. A previous specimen in a 2007 CNG auction was mistakenly attributed as a mule before the publication of the new RIC II.1. https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=109101#

Lovely coppery tone accented with dark green patina.