Vespasian AR Denarius 77-78 CE RIC 980

Vespasianus, 69-79 CE

AR-Denar Rome, 77/78 n. Chr. (18.27mm 3.21g)

Obv.: CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, Kopf mit Lorbeerkranz n. r. Rev.: IMP XIX, Modius mit Kornähren

RIC 980 RSC 219 BMC 217 Ex: Kölner Münzkabinett January 15, 2019

This coin features an agrarian theme on the reverse. Of course the modes depicted was political as well. If you have a large population you had better kept them fed or you would be in the kind of trouble you as are not likely to survive. It was imperative that the emperor made sure there was a constant supply of grain.

On the surface this is a very common coin. However, take a closer look at the modes. Yes it has the grain ears emerging from it but there are poppied in between the grain ears. It is shame that RIC did not make this one a separate type. However, RSC did make this a different type. There is another version of this where the placement of the poppies is different. I do not think that one is a separate type but just a variation of the poppied type in general.

If you would like one these be prepared to look at more than a hundred reverses to see if you an spot the poppies. However this coin is not just about poppies. I love the straining portrait of Vespasian. There are many variations in the portraits of Vespasian and this is one of my favourites.