RIC 1335 Vespasian

Æ As, 6.39g
Tarraco (?) mint, 70 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG P M TR P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: COS ITER TR POT; S C in field; Aequitas stg. l. with scales and rod
RIC 1335 (R2, this coin cited). BMC -. BNC -.
Ex Harlan J Berk BBS 225, 30 November 2023, lot 86. Ex Curtis Clay Collection. Ex Antioch Associates BBS 40, 29 July 2002, lot 109.

Spain declared for Vespasian late in 69 after the second battle of Cremona in October. Spanish mints immediately began striking coinage in all metals for Vespasian, with perhaps Tarraco being the primary mint of the province. The early aes coinage copied many of the reverse designs seen on the precious metals at Rome, as is the case with this Aequitas type. All the coins from the issue are quite rare indicating they were not struck for any length of time, perhaps only to address a shortage of bronze coinage in the region. This specimen is cited in RIC from the Clay collection.