Vespasian AR Denarius 79 CE

Vespasian AR Denarius 79 CE

(18mm 3.0g)

Obv: Head laureate left; IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG

Rev: CERES seated left with poppies corn ears and torch; TR POT X COS VIIII

RIC 1063, BMC--; RSC--;

Zeus Numismatics budget auction 12 lot #470 August 28, 2020

This coin is from an interesting issue of Vespasian denarii during 79 CE. There are many interesting reverse types in this issue and many of them are quite rare. In fact there are many more rare types in this issue than common types. So, yes, I like rare coins and I find them interesting. However, there is more to it than that. When I saw the seller's photo I thought that the actual coin was going to be better than the photo would have one believe. My suspicions were conformed when I received the coin. it has a lovely grey toning and the portrait is very nice indeed. Do not let the reverse image fool you, it is CERES and not PAX. It would be easy to assume that the figure on the reverse was PAX because the PAX issues are so plentiful.

Notice in the attribution that this coin is not in 2 of the 3 most important references for these coins BMC and RSC. My advice would be to carefully look at the coins on auction sites where the photos are poor. You might just get a great coin for a low bid. Not good for the seller but good for you. Also, keep an eye out for reverse types that are easily confused for each other. You might just find a rarity that others have overlooked. There is no substitute for the reference books that document these coins. They are worth the investment in money and time. My copies have paid for themselves several times over because I as able to identify rarities and to correct dealer attributions.