Roman Empire. Vespasian, 69-79 AD. Ephesus, c. 70 AD.
Roman Empire. Vespasian, 69-79 AD. Ephesus, c. 70 AD.
AR Denarius, 3.53g (18mm, 12h). IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS II TR P P P Laureate bust r. / LIBERI IMP – AVG VESPAS Titus and Domitian, both veiled and togate, standing facing slightly to l., each holding a patera; in exergue, ΦY.
Pedigree: Privately purchased from Freeman & Sear on the 26th of May 2007.
References: C 249 var. (Φ on rev. exergue). BMC 443 var. (Φ on rev. exergue). RIC 1420. CBN –. RPC 819 var . (Φ on rev. exergue)
Grade: Sharply struck with lustrous surfaces. Slightly o/c on obverse. Mint State. (re1202)
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This coin was struck in 70 AD in the Roman province of Ephesus. At the time there was an uprising in the area of Judaea which is known as the First Revolt. Vespasian sent his son Titus to deal with the situation and the successful campaign against the Jews resulted in the destruction of the Second Temple. The spoils Titus brought back to Rome were used to build the still-standing Coleuseum. This coin has the legend on the reverse ‘Liberi Imperator Augustus Vespasianus’ and shows the children of the commander-in-chief and Emperor Vespasian.