Gold Aureus of Vespasian, 6.32 g.

Gold Aureus of Vespasian, 6.32 g.

Vespasian

72 CE

Obverse: Laureate head of Vespasian facing right; IMP(ERATOR) CAES(AR) VESP(ASIANVS) AVG(VSTVS) P(ONTIFEX) M(AXIMVS) CO(N)S(VL) IIII: Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus, pontifex maximus, consul for the fourth time.

Reverse: Neptune facing left, nude but for cape, with right foot on globe, acrostolium in right hand, trident in left; NEP(TVNVS) RED(VX): Neptune the Returner.

Style/Period: Roman Empire

The most important military event in the reign of Vespasian was the capture of Jerusalem by his son Titus in 70 CE. Jerusalem had held out when Vespasian himself had earlier subdued the rest of Judaea. The victory solidified Flavian power in Rome, and in 71 CE the victory of Titus was turned into a joint triumph for Vespasian and Titus. The triumph included a procession carrying the spoils taken from the Temple in Jerusalem, an event later recorded on reliefs on the Arch of Titus in Rome. The reverse of this aureus celebrates the return of Titus from Jerusalem with a depiction of Neptune, god of the sea, characterized in the coin's legend as the Returner. He holds his usual attributes, a trident and an acrostolium or bow ornament of a ship.
The portrait on the obverse shows Vespasian's preference for realism, probably an attempt to commend himself as a man of the people. He is depicted as heavy-set and balding, with a lined face and neck and with the broad forehead, hooked nose, and prominent chin that make his one of the most easily recognizable imperial portraits.
-- Carol L. Lawton

Bibliography: H. Mattingly and E.A. Sydenham, The Roman Imperial Coinage II: Vespasian to Hadrian (London 1926) 46.

Former collection of Ottilia Buerger. Bought from Abner Kreisberg, 1971.

91.148

Wriston Art Center Galleries, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI,wriston-gallery@lawrence.edu,920-832-6890

Roman, Empire, Vespasian, Neptune, globe, acrostolium, trident