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RIC 0025 Vespasian
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AR Denarius, 3.10g
Rome Mint, January - June 70 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: COS ITER TR POT; Neptune stg. l., foot on prow, with dolphin and trident
RIC 25 (R). BMC 14. RSC 90. BNC - .
Acquired from Nemesis, February 2008.
This coin commemorates Vespasian's return to Rome in October of 70 AD (RIC II p 19). Neptune, as god of the sea, is given his just due in Vespasian's safe voyage home. This coin type was copied by Lugdunum. Antioch also had a variation of the Neptune reverse (with a globe instead of a prow).
Considered rare by the RIC, I had a most difficult time locating this reverse type from Rome. Vespasian looks a bit bemused in this portrait, which I find very appealing.
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