RIC 1395 Vespasian

AR Denarius, 3.04g
Ephesus Mint, 69-70 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: LIBERI IMP AVG VESPAS; Titus and Domitian veiled, togate, stg. front (heads l.), each with patera
RIC 1395 (R3). BMC 430. RSC 248. RPC 805 (1 spec.). BNC -.
Ex CNG E368, 10 February 2016, lot 406.

Part of the first group of denarii struck at Ephesus. Unlike the other groups struck at the mint, this very rare early issue did not use mint-marks. My specimen is apparently the second known of the Titus and Domitian togate type (although the other specimen in the BM is off-centre and a possible mint-mark could be off flan).

A pleasing coin with a fine Ephesian style portrait. Much better in hand.