RIC 1475 Vespasian

AR Denarius, 3.48g
Ephesus (?) mint, 76 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r., 'o' mint mark below neck
Rev: FIDES PVBL; Hands clasped over caduceus, two poppies and two corn ears
RIC 1475 (R). BMC 490. RSC 163a. RPC 1452 (6 spec.). BNC -.
Acquired from Malter Galleries, December 2010.

Anyone with a passing knowledge of Flavian coinage is aware of the series of denarii Ephesus issued early in Vespasian's reign, but few know about a later group of denarii Ephesus(?) issued a couple of years later in 76 AD

This later issue can be identified by the use of a letter 'o' mint mark below the bust. The style and use of a mint mark suggests the minting city is Ephesus, however the exact location is unknown. If it is indeed Ephesus then something went horribly awry with their quality control since the previous issue in 74. Reverse types clearly meant for Vespasian may end up on a coin of Titus or Domitian and vice versa (see RIC 1480 for a good example of this type of error).

Why this short lived series was minted at all is a mystery.

The reverse itself is a copy of a Rome mint type from 73 AD and most likely symbolizes good faith in agricultural prosperity. I believe the overall style is much better than the Rome mint examples for both obverse and reverse. The poppies in particular seem to be more pronounced and better executed.

For lovers of the eastern Flavian mints there is a lot to admire here.