Divus Vespasian. Died AD 79. Æ Sestertius (33.5mm, 25.78 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Titus, AD 80-81. VF.

Triton XXVI
Lot: 734. Estimated: $ 2 000

Roman Imperial, Bronze

Sold For $ 2 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Divus Vespasian. Died AD 79. Æ Sestertius (33.5mm, 25.78 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Titus, AD 80-81. DIVO/ AVG/ VESP in three lines in upper right field, S P Q R in exergue, radiate statue of of Vespasian seated right on ornate stool, holding long scepter in right hand and Victory, holding palm frond and wreath, in extended left hand, set on ornate cart drawn by four elephants, each with its own mahout / IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII around large S • C. RIC II.1 257 (Titus) (same dies); BMCRE 222 (Titus); BN 231 (Titus). Green patina, some minor smoothing, minor marks and deposits. VF.

From the DMS Collection. Ex Robert O. Ebert Collection (Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio 174, 12 January 2013), lot 6121.

The unusual obverse of this sestertius likely depicts a scene from Vespasian’s funeral cortege, showing his radiate effigy being pulled behind a quadriga of elephants. Another variety depicts a closer view of the statue, which appears to be considerably larger than life-sized. As the first emperor successful enough to have merited deification since Claudius, his funeral was surely a major public event, and the mourning for the stability he brought was likely sincere. The funerals of deified Roman emperors typically ended with the waxen effigy being burned atop an enormous tiered pyre, from which an eagle is released to symbolized his spirit’s ascent to the heavens.

The final winners of all Triton XXVI lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 10-11 January 2023.

Triton XXVI – Session Three – Lots 674-990 will be held Wednesday morning, 11 January 2023 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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