Aureus 69-70 Tarraco Vespasian, Tarraco, Extremely rare, Gold, RIC:1297 EF(40-45)

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Vespasian, Aureus, 69-70, Tarraco, Extremely rare. RIC II, Part 1² Vespasian 1297., Head of Vespasian, laureate, right., Mars advancing right, holding spear and trophy., Extremely rare aureus! With an old cleaning, this example still has concretions around the reliefs on both the obverse and reverse, and there are a few scratches on the flan, at the level of the striking bead on the reverse and at the bottom of the shaft of Mars' spear. A mark is visible on the edge at 2h. Struck in the name of Vespasian, it was one of the emperor's earliest issues, when he took part in the succession to Nero between 69, during the so-called "year of the 4 emperors", and 70. Probably issued in Tarraco, although this is not certain, it is one of the rarest of the emperor's issues, one of the earliest (perhaps even before the issues in Rome), but also one of the most unusual because of its portrait, which is extremely different from those from later issues. Probably issued in Tarraco (Tarragona today), which was probably the mint of the province of Hispania during the Julio-Claudian period, it is dated to late 69 or early 70. Undoubtedly made with gold from the Roman Hispanic mines, it reflects what appears to be a style of representation characteristic of this Hispanic mint, while at the same time showing a gradual transition between the representation of Julio-Claudian portraits and those of the Flavians, with some affinities still perceptible. On the reverse, it is worth noting the representation, also extremely rare in Roman coinages, of Mars Ultor, Mars "Avenger", who appeared on coins from the previous years, 68-69, during the Civil War. This is a unique representation, since it disappears as quickly as it appears: after 71 and until Septimius Severus, it no longer appears mentioned by this name. The use of this singular type shows Vespasian's strong desire to appear as the avenger of the affronts inflicted to Rome during the years of the Civil War and the succession of emperors. With this type, he wanted to establish himself as the restorer of peace and stability in Rome and dissuade any takeover of power following his accession to power. CBN 312 (Espagne). Calicò 651. From Freeman & Sear, 15th May 2009., IMP CAESAR AVG VESPASIANVS, MARS VLTOR

 

Deutsch abbrev.	Deutsch Erhaltungsgrade	Englisch  Grades der Kühlung	Französisch États de  Erhaltung	Italienisch Stati di  conservazione
PP	Polierte Platte	Proof (PRF)	Flan bruni (FB)	Beweis
st	Stempelglanz, stempelfrisch	Stempelglanz (MS65-MS70)	Fleur de coin (FDC)	Fior di conio
-unz	fast unzirkuliert	Almost uncirculated (AU)
vz	Vorzüglich	Vorzüglich (EF oder XF)	Superbe (SUP)	Splendido
ss	Sehr schön	Sehr fein (VF)	Très Très beau (TTB)	Bellissimo
s	Schön	Fine (F)	Très beau (TB)	Molto bello

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