Lot 3027

Description

Countermarked Roman Republic denarius by Vespasian (in A.D.69), host coin an issue of A. Albinus (Postumia 5), silver denarius, issued 96 B.C., Rome mint, obv. laureate head of Apollo to right, * behind, X before ROMA below, countermarked within a rectangle with ligatured letters IMP VES rev. The Dioscuri standing to left beside their horses, which are drinking at a fountain, (S.248, C.335/10a, Howgego 839 for cmk.). Countermark very fine, host coin very good, and very rare.

The countermarking of antique Roman Republican silver, 165 years later is enigmatic. Mattingly in the BMC catalogue suggests these very rare countermarks were an attempt by Vespasian to compare himself with Augustus, as a few known known specimens with this countermark are on coins of Augustus (cf.Superior sale of Dec. 9, 1994 lot 935A, had such a piece). Its known appearance on issues of Mark Antony, has suggested a more logical explanation, and with this piece a Republican issue can only further enhance the alternative explanation. Consequently it has been suggested by other writers, that the countermarking was the initial efforts of Vespasian to assert his right of coinage, and that the countermarking was placed on older circulating coins at the genesis of Vespasian revolt in A.D. 69, before he could mint his own coins. Thirion in SM 13 (1963) No.49 and sup. provide this evidence, this is noted by Howgego who supports this thesis that the countermarking was applied at Ephesus between January 1 A.D. 74 and 23 June A.D. 79. Although the circumstances under which these early denarii were countermarked by Vespasian are not really certain, the coins are nonetheless of great rarity and historical interest.