Vespasian (69-79), Sestertius, Rome, AD 71
AE (g 24,96; mm 33; h 6)
IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III, laureate head r., Rv. SPES - AVGVSTA, Spes standing l., offering flower to three Roman soldiers. RIC I 462 = II 206; C 514.
Extremely rare. Green patina and extremely fine.

This rare and interesting sestertius type was issued in 71 AD, the year which witnessed the great joint triumph of Vespasian and Titus through the streets of the capital in celebration of their victory in Judaea. The style appears to be provincial and the type has been tentatively attributed to Tarraco (modern Tarragona) in Spain, a short-lived mint which had its origins in Galba's Spanish rebellion against Nero. The interesting reverse, which proclaims the hope for the future brought by the new emperor (Spes Augusta), depicts the goddess Spes in her usual pose in company with three military figures in whom we should probably recognize Vespasian and his two sons. Together they represent the state's new-found stability and the anticipation of the continuance of good government through the establishment of a second imperial dynasty.