The second known of its type

Vespasian AR Denarius 77-78 CE

(18mm 3.17g)

Obv: Head laureate left; IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG

Rev: COS VI in exergue; Oxen 2 yoked

RIC 945; BMC--; RSC --

Purchased from C J Martin coins on Vcoins.

I was extremely happy to win this coin. This coin is a mule. It has Vespasian on the obverse but a reverse for Titus. This coin has COS VI in the exergue. Titus was Caesar when this coin was struck and was COS VI at the time. Vespsasian on the other hand was COS VIII at the time this coin was struck. Other coins in this issue include left and right facing denarii of Vespasian with COS VIII in the exergue.

This coin is the second one known. Another collector of Flavian coins, David Atherton, owns the other one. David's coin is the RIC reference coin. My thanks to David for his excellent gallery. Thanks to this gallery on Forum Ancient Coins, I found out that my coin is a double die match to David's coin. This not only confirmed the authenticity of my coin, it also confirmed the rarity of this particular type.

To say I am thrilled is an understatement. This might be my best purchase for 2021. I never thought I would have the opportunity to own this type.

You could also say that this coin is also special for the excellent portrait and the amazing rendering of the oxen on the reverse.