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RIC 0977 VespasianAR Denarius, 3.19g
Rome mint, 77-78 AD
Obv: CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: IMP XIX in exergue; Goatherd std. l., milking goat l.
RIC 977 (R). BMC 220. RSC 220. BNC 193.
Acquired from Ancient Delights, August 2012.

One of the more interesting types issued in the whole of Flavian denarii. The goatherd milking goat reverse was minted along side a series of agrarian themed types (sow and piglets, modius and grain ears) perhaps evoking a message of agricultural bounty. The message and meaning of the reverse must have been very clear to city dwelling Romans but the subtleties are lost on us. The same type was also minted for Titus as Caesar, both types are very rare.

I had a devil of time finding this type, let alone one in such wonderful condition. Most of the reverses on these are worn away, here the rough cloak of the goatherd is distinctly visible. This coin is an obverse and reverse die match with the RIC plate coin.7 commentsDavid Atherton

RIC 0985Titus, as Caesar (AD 79-81). AR denarius. Rome. 77-78 CE
(19mm, 3.09 gm, 7h).
Obv: laureate head of Titus right; T CAESAR VESPASIANVS
Rev: Goatherder seated left on rocks, milking goat over vessel; IMP XIII,
RIC 985 (Vespasian).
Ex: Heritage Auctions 2021 January 20-21 Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Weekly Online Auction #232103 / Lot #63167
3 commentsorfew

RIC 0985 Titus as Caesar [Vespasian]AR Denarius, 3.53g
Rome Mint, July 77 AD - December 78 AD
Obv: T CAESAR VESPASIANVS; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IMP XIII in exergue; Goatherd std. l., milking goat l.
RIC 985 (R). BMC 230. RSC 103. BNC 204.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.

This type had been one of my 'dream coins' since I started collecting Flavian denarii. A very tough coin to find and one I couldn't resist. Curiously enough, it has a frequency rating of rare in RIC, as does the more common Vespasian variant of the type. I think the Titus is a bit rarer.

It is quite obvious that this reverse is part of an agrarian propaganda series. Unlike the goat referring to Jupiter as seen on a denarius of Domitian as Caesar (RIC 267 (Titus), this type has rustic overtones.

I love this reverse, well centered and fairly clear. Unfortunately, I only have the old dealer's pic. 6 commentsDavid Atherton

RIC 0985(V) Titus denariusT CAESAR VESPASIANVS
Laureate head right

IMP XIII
Goatherd, seated left, milking goat left

Rome, July 77-December 79 CE

RIC 985V (R)
3.08g

Ex-Germania Inferior Numismatics

Part of the agrarian series under Vespasian, perhaps promoting a more simpler way of life or the bounty that is provided by the Emperor. This one being minted for Titus. While only listed as Rare in RIC, this type is exceedingly difficult to find in trade, even more so than the one for Vespasian, and is a favorite of collectors. Only 3 others in Forum galleries (orfew, 2 Atherton). Wonderful toning in hand. 6 commentsJay GT4

RIC 0985A Titus as Caesar [Vespasian] UniqueAR Denarius, 3.22g
Rome Mint, 77-78 AD
Obv: T CAESAR VESPASIANVS; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IMP XIII across field; Modius, standing on three legs, containing five ears of corn upright and two hanging over the sides
RIC 985A. BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
Ex CNG eAuction 487, 10 March 2021, lot 515.

A unique and unpublished new type for Titus Caesar. In RIC II.1, page 129, note 186 reads as follows: 'A plated example of this coin with rev IMP XIII (Budapest) suggests the possibility that the parallel issue for Titus might have used this modius reverse type (if such a coin was the prototype for the ancient imitation), though no examples have yet been attested.' Dr. Lucia Carbone, Assistant Curator for Roman Coins, at the American Numismatic Society has confirmed this coin as 'the prototype for the silver-plated fourrée in the Budapest museum.... The T preceding CAESAR on the obverse is absolutely clear and there is no doubt about the identification of the obverse.' The small denarius issue from which this coin was struck consists of three reverse types: goatherd, modius, and sow with piglets. Previously, all three were known for Vespasian, but only the goatherd and sow types had been attested for Titus Caesar. In hand there is the faintest trace of the reading IMP XIII on the reverse. We can now confidently add the modius for Titus to complete our picture of the series - a tremendous discovery!6 commentsDavid Atherton

Vespasian RIC II 0977Vespasian 69-79 A.D. Rome Mint, July, 77 A.D.-Dec. 78A.D. (2.95g, 19.1m, 6h). Obv: CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right. Rev: IMP XIX in exergue; Goatherd seated left, milking goat left. RIC II 977 (R), BMC 220, RSC 220.

A scarce reverse from Vespasian’s agricultural series. While worn, the reverse legend is complete, and the goatherd and his goat are clearly visible.

4 commentsLucas H

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