Vespasian, 69-79. Denarius (Subaeratus, 19 mm, 2.56 g, 7 h), a contemporary plated imitation of an issue from Rome. Irregular mint, after 76. IMP CAESAR VESP AVGVST Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev. COS IIII Eagle with wings spread standing facing on garlanded cippus, head to left. Cf. BMC 180, Cohen 120 and RIC 847 (for possible prototype). Breaks in plating and with some scratches on the obverse, otherwise, about very fine.
This piece and the following lot, no. 1743, were struck from the same obverse die and thus form a pair originating from the same counterfeiter’s workshop. The workshop must have been exceptionally well equipped, as the style is excellent and differs only slightly from that of the official silver issues