Divus Vespasian, died 79. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 34 mm, 26.21 g, 7 h), Rome, struck under Titus, 80-81. DIVO / AVG / VESP / S P Q R Divus Vespasian, radiate and togate, seated right in quadriga of elephants with riders, holding Victory in his right hand and scepter in his left. Rev. IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII around large S C. BMC 221. CBN 229. Cohen 205. RIC 257. Rare and unusually attractive, with a beautiful rendering of the elephant quadriga. Somewhat smoothed, otherwise, good very fine.


This striking sestertius of Divus Vespasian exhibits remarkably fine detail. On the obverse, the deified Vespasian is depicted seated to the right in an ornate chariot drawn by four elephants, each guided by its own mahout. He holds a small winged Victory and a scepter, symbols of his apotheosis and imperial authority. The accompanying legend, DIVO AVG VESP and SPQR, indicates that the coin was issued to commemorate the deceased emperor’s deification and was struck under the authority of the Senate and people of Rome.

In contrast to the intricate obverse, the reverse is relatively austere. It features only an inscription identifying Vespasian’s son and successor, Titus, as the issuer, along with a prominent S C (Senatus Consulto), reaffirming that the coin was minted under the auspices of the Roman Senate.