Rare Vespasian denarius with the reverse borrowed from the coin of L. Domitius Ahenobarbus, which was minted for Mark Antony around 40 BC.
Roman Imperial
Vespasian (69-79), Denarius 77-78, Rome mint
Obverse: head of the emperor facing left
IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG
Reverse: prow of galley right, above, eight-rayed star
COS VIII
Weight 2.53 g
Vespasian eagerly used the coins of the late Republic as inspiration, and his successors, Flavius, Titus, and Domitian, also preferred such representations. The star above the bow of the galley is used to emphasize the success of the navy or the admiral's success and is reflected in Vespasian's ongoing propaganda campaign. Much of his coins commemorated military triumphs or newly made alliances.
