Vespasian, Aureus, 69-70
Tarraco - Extremely rare - Gold - EF(40-45) - RIC:1297
PLEASE NOTE: this collector's item is unique. We therefore cannot guarantee its availability over time and recommend that you do not delay too long in completing your purchase if you are interested.
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
7.19 gr
Gold
Although nowadays gold enjoys a reputation as the king of precious metals, that was not always the case. For example, in Ancient Greece, Corinthian bronze was widely considered to be superior. However, over the course of time, it has established itself as the prince of money, even though it frequently vies with silver for the top spot as the standard.
Nevertheless, there are other metals which appear to be even more precious than this duo, take for example rhodium and platinum. That is certain. Yet, if the ore is not as available, how can money be produced in sufficient quantities? It is therefore a matter of striking a subtle balance between rarity and availability.
But it gets better: gold is not only virtually unreactive, whatever the storage conditions (and trouser pockets are hardly the most precious of storage cases), but also malleable (coins and engravers appreciate that).
It thus represents the ideal mix for striking coins without delay – and we were not going to let it slip away!
The chemical symbol for gold is Au, which derives from its Latin name aurum. Its origins are probably extraterrestrial, effectively stardust released following a violent collision between two neutron stars. Not merely precious, but equally poetic…
The first gold coins were minted by the kings of Lydia, probably between the 8th and 6th century BC. Whereas nowadays the only gold coins minted are investment coins (bullion coins) or part of limited-edition series aimed at collectors, that was not always the case. And gold circulated extensively from hand to hand and from era to era, from the ancient gold deposits of the River Pactolus to the early years of the 20th century.
As a precious metal, in the same way as silver, gold is used for minting coins with intrinsic value, which is to say the value of which is constituted by the metal from which they are made. Even so, nowadays, the value to the collector frequently far exceeds that of the metal itself...
It should be noted that gold, which is naturally very malleable, is frequently supplemented with small amounts of other metals to render it harder.
The millesimal fineness (or alloy) of a coin indicates the exact proportion (in parts per thousand) of gold included in the composition. We thus speak, for example, of 999‰ gold or 999 parts of gold per 1 part of other metals. This measure is important for investment coins such as bullion. In France, it was expressed in carats until 1995.
An “EF(40-45)” quality
As in numismatics it is important that the state of conservation of an item be carefully evaluated before it is offered to a discerning collector with a keen eye.
This initially obscure acronym comprising two words describing the state of conservation is explained clearly here:
Extremely Fine
This means – more prosaically – that the coin has circulated well from hand to hand and pocket to pocket but the impact on its wear remains limited: the coins retains much of its mint luster, sharp detailing and little sign of being circulated. Closer examination with the naked eye reveals minor scratches or nicks.
