Roman Empire - Silver Denarius of Emperor Vespasianus (
The eagle is the symbol of the stability of the Roman Empire.Vespasianus a. D. Denarius 76 a. D. Rome. 2.9 g, 18 mm Obv.: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, head with laurel wreath tot the left Rev.: COS-VIII, eagle on a decorated base to the left. RIC 848; BMC 184; BN 155The son of a businessman and brother of the prefect of Rome, he enlisted as a soldier in the army. He served under Caligula, Claudius and Nero. He was successful and held positions in, among others, Britain, Germania, Greece and Judea. Nero let him strike down a revolt in the latter country, with great success. Coins with the "Judea Capta" reverse side are highly sought-after. After Galba fell, and Otho after that, Vitellius rose to power. The soldiers of Vespasianus were not satisfied with that and chose Vespasianus as emperor. Vespasianus went to Rome and even before he reached the city gates, Vitellius was lynched and Vespasianus was hailed as a hero. He was a skilled leader and Rome prospered. He had the Colosseum built, for example. In 79 he died of dysentery. Read More