| Heritage World Coin Auctions > Showcase Auction 61375 | Auction date: 20 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 25197 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Ancients Vespasian (AD 69-79). AR denarius (18mm, 3.57 gm, 7h). NGC MS 5/5 - 3/5, Fine Style. Ephesus, ca. AD 69-70. IMP•CAES-VESPAS•AVG, laureate head of Vespasian right / PACI ORB-TERR AVG, turreted, diademed, and draped bust of Pax right, seen from front; Φ below truncation. RIC II.1, 1407. Spectacular example with two stunning portraits well-struck on a stormy flan. Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 121 (6 October 2022), lot 820. Descended from a family of small-time entrepreneurs and tax farmers in the Sabine hill country north of Rome, Flavius Vespasianus was born in AD 9 and rose to prominence in the Roman Army. In AD 43-44, he gained distinction during Claudius' invasion of Britain and won a Consulship in AD 51, but fell from imperial favor when he dozed off during one of Nero's musical performances. When a Jewish faction in the province of Judaea rebelled and massacred the local Roman garrison in AD 66, Nero sent Vespasian at the head of three legions to crush the revolt. Through his able son Titus, Vespasian gained the friendship and support of Mucianus, governor of Syria, who had another three legions at his disposal. The collapse of Nero's regime, in AD 68, led to a free-for-all for the throne, with Galba, Otho and Vitellius following in quick succession. Vespasian realized he had the means and ability to make his own try for supreme power, and on 1 July AD 69, the legions of Alexandria, Egypt declared Vespasian as emperor. He decided on a policy of blockade and attrition to defeat Vitellius; however the sudden declaration of support by the Danubian legions and their invasion of Italy in the fall of AD 69 brought a much quicker victory. Vitellius was executed on 20 December, and the Senate proclaimed Vespasian emperor two days later. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-vespasian-ad-69-79-ar-denarius-18mm-357-gm-7h-ngc-ms-5-5-3-5-fine-style/a/61375-25197.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-61375-05202024 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved |  |
