|
|
RIC 0981 Vespasian
|
AR Denarius, 3.40g
Rome Mint, 77-78 AD
Obv: CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l.
Rev: IMP XIX; Modius, standing on three legs, containing five ears of corn upright and two hanging over at the sides
RIC 981 (C2). BMC 218. RSC 215. BNC 192.
Acquired from Old Roman Coins, March 2004.
A reverse which promotes Vespasian's new agricultural programme. A modius was the standard measure of grain in the Roman world. Normally the left facing portrait is rarer, which were struck at a ratio of 1:10 to the right facing types. However, in this one case the left facing are much more common.
A wonderful portrait matched with a highly detailed reverse. A slightly ragged flan is only a minor detraction.
|
|
