RIC 1241 Vespasian

Æ As, 9.41g
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: VICTORIA AVGVSTI; S C in field; Victory adv. l., with wreath and palm
RIC 1241 (C). BMC 851. BNC 853.
Acquired from London Ancient Coins, July 2022.

Late in Vespasian's reign the mint at Lyon (ancient Lugdunum) struck a fairly large issue of bronze at a time when the mint at Rome was winding down its own bronze production. Presumably this late issue was produced to address a shortage of bronze coinage in the Western provinces. Many of the types were recycled from earlier issues from both Rome and Lyon, such as this common Victory type.