Скачать или смотреть Vespasian Unique Goatherd Milking Goat Denarius, 77-78 AD

Vespasian
AR Denarius, 3.19g
Rome mint, 77-78 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: IMP XIX in exergue; Goatherd std. l., milking goat l.
RIC 978 (R3, this coin). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
Ex Harlan J Berk BBS 227, 14 May 2024, lot 464. Ex Harlan J Berk BBS 224, 14 September 2023, lot 86 (unsold). Ex Curtis Clay Collection. Ex Lanz 125, 28 November 2005, lot 696.

A unique mule combining an obverse die from the previous COS VIII issue with a goatherd reverse intended for the IMP XIX issue. The goatherd milking goat reverse was struck alongside a series of agrarian themed types, perhaps evoking a message of agricultural bounty. The meaning of the reverse must have been very clear (perhaps nostalgically so?) to city dwelling Romans, but its rustic symbolism is lost on us today. The same type was also minted for Titus Caesar. This example is in the RIC plates (plate 12, 978).