Roman Empire Silver Denarius of Vespasian, Rome Mint, AD 73
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
AD 73
This ancient Roman silver denarius was struck in Rome in AD 73 during the reign of Emperor Vespasian. The coin is composed of silver and measures 19 mm in diameter, weighing 3.13 grams.
The obverse depicts a laureate head of Emperor Vespasian facing right, accompanied by the inscription "IMP CAES VESP AVG CENS." The reverse side features the emperor seated on a curule chair, holding a scepter in his right hand and an olive branch in his left, with the legend "PONTIF MAXIM," referencing his role as Pontifex Maximus. This specimen is cataloged as RIC II 65, BMCRE 98, and RSC 387. The coin serves as an example of Flavian imperial coinage, intended to project religious authority, imperial power, and the restoration of peace and stability following the civil unrest of the Year of the Four Emperors.
The imagery serves as a historical record of the political and religious identity of the first-century Roman Empire.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Weight
- 3.13 g
- Diameter
- 19 mm
- Material
- silver
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Rome
- Catalog reference
- RIC II 65, BMCRE 98, RSC 387
Design
- Obverse
- Laureate head of Vespasian facing right with inscription IMP CAES VESP AVG CENS
- Reverse
- Vespasian seated right on a curule chair holding a scepter and an olive branch with inscription PONTIF MAXIM
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Recorded
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.