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RIC 1418 Vespasian
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AR Denarius, 3.20g
Ephesus mint, 70 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS II TR P P P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: LIBERI IMP AVG V-ESPAS; Heads of Titus, bare, r., and Domitian, bare, l., confronting; BY in r. field (on its side, obscured)
RIC 1418 (R3). BMC -. RSC -. RPC -. BNC -.
Acquired from Trusted Coins, eBay, September 2016.
The confronting heads of Titus and Domitian is one of the rarest reverse types struck at Ephesus for Vespasian. RIC lists this rare variant with mintmark sideways in right field as 'unique'. I was able to match my specimen's reverse die with another example (Lanz 128, 22 May 2006, lot 322) which showed the BY mintmark, confirming the coin's attribution. Since the publication of the new RIC, I have identified 4 specimens of this extremely rare variant, all from the same reverse die. Also, take note of the unusual break in the reverse legend: V - ESPAS.
Struck with nearly full legends in fine Ephesian style.
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