Vespasian / Aequitas Æ As Rare?

[Nemonater]

Recently acquired this Vespasian / Aequitas Æ As with no attribution except an old ticket with Seaby 701. The only other example I could find online (not surprisingly) was in FlaviusDomitianus' gallery. I promptly stole his description and attribution of RIC 588.

My coin, Happy Vespasian:
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-118354

Alberto's example, Sad Vespasian:
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-107214

Are these as rare as it seems?

Nemo

[curtislclay]

I think we can believe RIC that there aren't a great many of this variety around. BMC 662 has the same coin with portrait right, but had to quote portrait left from Cohen 9. And that variety wasn't in Paris either, so Cohen had to cite it from Vienna.

I noticed a mistake in Alberto's transcription of the obv. legend: should be

IMP CAES VESP AVG P M T P COS IIII CENS.

[Nemonater]

I think we can believe RIC that there aren't a great many of this variety around. BMC 662 has the same coin with portrait right, but had to quote portrait left from Cohen 9. And that variety wasn't in Paris either, so Cohen had to cite it from Vienna.

I noticed a mistake in Alberto's transcription of the obv. legend: should be

IMP CAES VESP AVG P M T P COS IIII CENS.

Fantastic details Curtis.  

I also noticed the description error and then promptly failed to adjust it.

I find that no matter how rare the Flavian, Alberto or David has at least one in their collection!

Thanks as always.

[ancientdave]

A very nice find, Nemo! 

[FlaviusDomitianus]

Congrats Nemo on your acquisition, thanks Curtis for pointing out the error in my description (it happens as a consequence of copy and paste...).

Alberto

[David Atherton]

Nice additions with contrasting portraits!

[Nemonater]

Nice additions with contrasting portraits!

Thanks guys.

I also found the contrast in portraits interesting.  I wonder if it reflects the engravers personal view of the emperor or if they were given some kind of direction on the message the portrait was supposed to convey.  Clearly a mixed message with these two.

[David Atherton]

I also found the contrast in portraits interesting.  I wonder if it reflects the engravers personal view of the emperor or if they were given some kind of direction on the message the portrait was supposed to convey.  Clearly a mixed message with these two.

Probably down to the whim of the individual engraver or the kind of mood they were in.