Vespasian, 69-79. Aureus (Gold, 19 mm, 7.34 g, 6 h), uncertain Spanish mint (Tarraco?), 69-70. IMP•CAESAR•AVG•VESPASIANVS• Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev. MARS / VLTOR Mars advancing right, holding spear in his right hand and trophy over his left shoulder in his left. BMC 350. Calicó 651 (same dies as illustration). CBN 312. Cohen 270. RIC 1297. Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, a lovely example with an unusual, early portrait. A few faint scratches, otherwise, about extremely fine.

This beautiful aureus was minted in Spain for Vespasian, who was still in the East at the time, which explains the unusual portrait resembling a more slender Vitellius. The motif of the avenging Mars (Mars Ultor), striding to the right with a spear and a trophy, is derived from an anonymous Spanish coin type from the Civil War. What is particularly striking about this issue for Vespasian is the distinctive vertical legends on the reverse, which stand in sharp contrast to the more typical surrounding legends found on Roman imperial coins