| Coin Description | Vespasian, silver Denarius 17 mm, Grade ??, The coin is well centered and shows full detail but because the flan is to small or more likely not struck with enough force (the left site is much thicker (1,5 mm) then the right site (1 mm)) parts of the legend especially on the obverse are missing, RIC II 30, VM 12, Sear 770 |
| Obverse | The portrait is of Vespasian a Laureate bust facing right. The legend reads IMP CAES VESP AVG PM meaning: IMP (Imperator = the Emperor / supreme military commander) CAES (Caesar) VESP (his name Vespasian) AVG (Augustus which defines him as the emperor) PM (Pontifex Maximus the chief of the board of fifteen priests who directed the Roman state religion). |
| Reverse |
The reverse shows four priestly implements used to read the omens in this case from left to right a simpulum, aspergillum, praeferculum and lituus. The legend reads AVGVR TRI POT which translates as: AVGVR (a religious official who interpreted omens to guide public policy) TRI POT (Tribunica Potestas or Tribunician Powers this gave the emperor the same powers as the peoples tribune who watched over the political needs of the plebeians with among others the power to veto senatorial degrees (a very useful office for an emperor to hold of course) so indicating two important offices the emperor held. The priestly implements represent the Emperor's role as an augur. |
| Mint | The coin was minted in Rome and struck between 70 - 72 AD |
| The Entire Story | The entire story of this coin would read: Our supreme commander, chief priest and emperor Vespasian. The reverse shows that Vespasian holds two very important offices (the one of Augur and peoples tribune) which were given to him at the beginning of his reign. All showing him to be in full control of the empire on a political, military and divine level. So a piece of propaganda exuding power and control on all levels. |
