Vespasian. Æ- 2 Assaria (?). Rome or Antioch (with Rome mint dies), 74 AD

Obv. IMP. CAESAR.VESPASIAN.AVG laureated h. to l.
Rev. PON MAX TR POT PP COS V CENS winged caduceus between crossed cornucopiae

RIC 798a, Cohen 377, CBN 903, BMC 886

Bronze struck in Rome and shipped to Syria, or locally struck in Syria (probably Antioch) from dies engraved in Rome, for circulation in Syria.

These Rome mint style coins don't bear the characteristics of imperial bronze denominations, Dupondius/As/Semis/Quadrans: weight and metal don't match, reverses don't show the normal senate approval 'SC'. Rather, these coins have to fit in the Greek coinage system, and would then be Assaria and their fractions.

Weil auction 7 November 2000.

Superb desert patina.