Rare Tutela Type

315, Lot: 392. Estimate $100. Sold for $360. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Vespasian. AD 69-79. Æ Dupondius (26mm, 13.02 g, 5h). Rome mint. Struck AD 71. Radiate head right / TVTELA AVGVSTI, Tutela seated left, placing arms around children. RIC II 282 (R2). Good Fine, brown patina, minor cleaning scratches. Rare reverse type.

From the R. D. Frederick Collection.

Tutela is the concept of guardianship. Under Roman law, tutela was granted to women and minors legally emancipated from their paterfamilias.