Nomos 38

Vespasian, 69-79. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 36 mm, 27.70 g, 6 h), Lugdunum, 71. IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III Laureate head of Vespasian to right, with a globe at the point of the truncation. Rev. ROMA S-C Roma seated to left on a cuirass, holding Victory on her extended right hand, a parazonium with her left, and propping her left heel on a small helmet; behind her to right, a pile of arms consisting of a helmet and one oblong and two round shields, one ornamented with a gorgoneion. BMC 802 (differing reverse die). BN 799 (differing reverse die). Cohen 407. Mazzini 407 (this coin). RIC 1135 (differing reverse die). For an example from the same dies, see Naville 55, 2020, 505. A particularly attractive piece, with a powerful and noble portrait, a tan patina, and an impressive pedigree. Minor edge faults, otherwise, good very fine.

From European collection, and from the collections of G. Mazzini, V. J. E. Ryan, Glendining, 2 April 1952, 2354, Sir A. J. Evans, Ars Classica XVII, 3 October 1934, 1317, and F. A. Walters, Hess, Luzern, 211, 9 May 1932, 540.