RIC 1430 Vespasian

AR Denarius, 3.10g
Ephesus mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS III TR P P P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: LIBERI IMP AVG VESPAS; Titus and Domitian veiled, togate, stg. front (heads l.), each with a patera; in exergue, EPHE
RIC 1430 (C). BMC 456. RSC 250. RPC 832 (10 spec.). BNC 349.
Acquired from Incitatus Coins, January 2012.

I bought this for the portrait (and I needed this type with the EPHE mint mark), and what a portrait it is! Vespasian is shown here with his lips slightly parted as if he is about to speak, the eyes look alive, and the portrait with its bull neck and high forehead exudes an air of confidence. The reverse on the other hand looks a bit rough - it's off center and so worn poor Titus and Domitian are faceless, Titus looking more worse for wear. Still, enough is left of the engravers hand to see the stylish drapery of the robes and the regal stance of the two princes.

A truly great mint's artistic brilliance will shine through even on worn examples, this coin I believe illustrates the point perfectly.