A 'Common' Cornuacopiae Coin

[David Atherton]

Although the frequency rating in RIC for this variety is rated as 'common', it took me until now to acquire one! Admittedly, I have come across a few over the years that were, to be honest, overpriced. This example was not.

 

Vespasian
Æ Dupondius, 10.07g
Rome mint, 74 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l.
Rev: PON•MAX•TR•POT•P•P•COS V CENS•; Winged caduceus between crossed cornuacopiae
RIC 757 (C2). BMC 888. BNC 904. RPC 1983 (6 spec.).
Acquired from André Cichos, May 2024.

Traditionally, the issue this rather strange laureate dupondius is from has been attributed to various different mints over the years such as Commagene (BMCRE II, pp.217-222) and Antioch (e.g. RPC II 1982-2005). T. Buttrey writing in the RIC II.1 unpublished A&C explains - 'The correct attribution to Rome is proved by mules of the dupondii with regular issues (Buttrey, “Vespasian’s Roman Orichalcum: An Unrecognized Celebratory Coinage” in David M. Jacobson and Nikos Kokkinos, Judaea and Rome in Coins, 65 CBE – 135 CE (2012). The series had nothing to do with Syria or with the East at all, yet it was purposefully designed to appear non-Roman: the suppression of the traditional reverse sub-inscription S C throughout; the suppression of the radiate crown of the Dupondius; the shifting of the consular dating from the obv. to the rev.; the striking of all four denominations in orichalcum; and most obviously the selection of rev. dies which reek of the East. There is nothing like this series in the whole of Roman imperial coinage. It is a deliberate act of Orientalism, imposing the flavour of the East on a Western coinage.'

This is the more common variety with left facing portrait and VESPASIAN.

In hand.

 

Thank you for looking!

Edited July 15 by David Atherton

[Kali]

Very nice addition!

[Roman Collector]

It's always a nice feeling to snag a coin you have found elusive. Coingratulations! 

This is my favorite crossed cornuacopiae design.

 

Antoninus Pius, 138-161 CE.
Roman orichalcum sestertius; 22.64 gm, 31.5 mm, 12 h.
Rome, 149 CE.
Obv: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XII, laureate bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder.
Rev: TEMPORVM FELICITAS, COS IIII in exergue, S C across field, crossed cornucopiae from which a grape bunch flanked by two grain ears hang, surmounted by confronted busts of two children, thought to represent Domitia Faustina and Lucilla.
Refs: RIC 857; BMCRE 1827-29; Cohen 813; RCV 4236; Strack 1026; Banti 411.

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Nice coin and a great addition to your collection.