Vespasian, 69-79. Semis (Orichalcum, 20 mm, 3.70 g, 6 h), uncertain mint in Asia Minor (Ephesos?), 77-78. [IMP CAESAR VE]SPASIAN AVGVST Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev. PON MAX [TR P P P COS] VIII CENS Victory advancing left, holding round shield (inscribed S P Q R?) with both hands. BMC -. Cohen -. RIC -. RPC II online -, cf. 1477 (Victory placing only one hand on shield). Apparently unpublished and unique. Minor traces of corrosion and with some deposits, otherwise, about very fine.



What distinguishes this coin type from RPC II 1470 is that Victory holds her shield with both hands here, whereas in all other known examples, she places only her right hand on the shield and her left hand in front of her body.