Vespasian
silver tetradrachm 69 - 70 AD
issued in Antioch, Capital of the Roman Province of Syria
Heritage Auctions, Jan 2011
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This is a Roman Provincial tetradrachma or 4-drachm piece, issued in the Roman
province of Syria in the city of Antioch (just north of Lebanon in present day Turkey).
Vespasian was an important Roman senator, however, he had the misfortune of
falling asleep during one of the Emperor Nero’s poetry recitals. Whether
as punishment or despite that, the next year he was sent from Rome to the East
to put down the Jewish rebellion. While he was away Nero was sentenced to
death by the Roman senate and committed suicide. Following the Civil War,
also known as the Year of the 4 Emperors, he became Emperor and ruled for 10 years
(69 to 79 AD).
Vespasian is known as one of the good Emperors, coming from a humble
background and said to be very down to earth. He was also very fiscally
conservative and once was pelted with turnips by the people for his extreme
financial rigour.
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This coin was struck in the 2nd year of his reign, 69 or 70 AD and shows a
very accurate portrait of the Emperor. This is because he was actually
in the region putting down the Jewish revolt soon before this coin was struck.
weight approx 15 g
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