Lot 1215
Vespasian. Silver Denarius (3.34 g), AD 69-79. Rome, AD 77/8. CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head of Vespasian right. Rev. IMP XIX across field, modius with seven ears of grain. (RIC 980; BMC 216; RSC 216). Beautiful old iridescent cabinet toning, excellent portrait. Superb extremely fine. Estimate $950UP
In AD 77, an unspecified plague reported in the chronography of St. Jerome is said to have struck down some 10,000 people in Rome. It has been suggested that this disastrous event might have been associated with a famine that resulted in work to secure the grain supply for the city. The supposed famine would explain the sudden and unexpected spike in coin types related to the grain supply in the late years of Vespasian's reign which also continued into that of his son, Titus.
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| Realized $1,058 |
