Vespasian (AD 69-79). AV aureus (20mm, 7.18 gm, 6h). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style, light marks. Rome, AD 76. IMP CAESAR-VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head of Vespasian right / AETER-NITAS, Aeternitas standing facing, head left, head of Sol in outstretched right hand, head of Luna in outstretched left; lighted altar at feet to left. Calicó 588 (this coin). RIC II.1 838. Featuring a superbly veristic portrait in Fine Style, as well as a lovely composition of Aeternitas on the reverse, this Calicó plate coin would be an excellent candidate for collectors working on a 12 Caesars collection. Strong flow lines and brightly lustrous surfaces need to be seen in hand to be fully appreciated. From the Wetmore Collection of Gold and Electrum. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 33 (6 April 2006), lot 455. Descended from a family of small-time entrepreneurs and tax farmers in the Sabine hill country north of Rome, Flavius Vespasianus was born in AD 9 and rose to prominence in the Roman Army. In AD 43-44, he gained distinction during Claudius' invasion of Britain and won a Consulship in AD 51, but fell from imperial favor when he dozed off during one of Nero's musical performances. When a Jewish faction in the province of Judaea rebelled and massacred the local Roman garrison in AD 66, Nero sent Vespasian at the head of three legions to crush the revolt. Through his able son Titus, Vespasian gained the friendship and support of Mucianus, governor of Syria, who had another three legions at his disposal. The collapse of Nero's regime, in AD 68, led to a free-for-all for the throne, with Galba, Otho and Vitellius following in quick succession. Vespasian realized he had the means and ability to make his own try for supreme power, and on 1 July AD 69, the legions of Alexandria, Egypt declared Vespasian as emperor. He decided on a policy of blockade and attrition to defeat Vitellius; however the sudden declaration of support by the Danubian legions and their invasion of Italy in the fall of AD 69 brought a much quicker victory. Vitellius was executed on 20 December, and the Senate proclaimed Vespasian emperor two days later. HID09801242017 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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